Silent Heroes: Recognition Award for Voluntary Activism that Changes Lives
She is a doctor by profession. However immediately after her 14 years old daughter was diagnosed with leukemia in 2008, she quit and dedicated her whole life to saving the life of the child. As she says, the condition was severe and the clinic turned into their home for 8 months. “There were moments of total frustration when hope was leaving me – I was praying for her life.”
Marina Gogichaishvili is GPI Holding’s, employee. She is a winner of Vienna Insurance Group Award IN RECOGNITION OF COMMITMENT TO VOLUNTARY ACTIVITIES for supporting patients with leukemia through her foundation.
During her and her daughters’ stay in the clinic, Mariam met parents of children who suffered leukemia disease: “There were patients sponsored by the state, however medicines were often delivered late. The scheme of treatment should be followed strictly. Otherwise, results can be impaired and this is very important. That’s why parents were forced to buy drugs out of their pockets and this was very expensive. All of us knew the situation and used to share the drugs with each other , in order to keep the treatment plan. “
“Luckily Keti’s condition improved dramatically and she herself gave me a motivation to help other children, who were fighting for their lives: “Mom, you have the energy and inner power to help these children”, she told me.
I was shocked , as my whole time and thought were dedicated to Keti at that moment and I replied: “I promise to help them with all I have, should you recover,” and that was a promise that we gave each other. “
Today Marina Gogichaishvili is head of the Foundation of Parents of Children with onco-hematological Diseases. The foundation supports children with money or other resources in diagnostics, treatment and rehabilitation of children with hematological problems. Through 2012 till today the charity helped more than 100 beneficiaries.
“After my daughter recovered completely, I started to build the charity organization very actively. We were working to raise funds from private and corporate donors and helped families to buy drugs or finance the treatment. During the 4 years, my time was totally dedicated to finding ways of helping or financing the tests, treatments, massage or exercises and often organizing birthday parties for the beneficiaries. We have concluded agreements with clinics, who were ready to treat the patients under the support of our foundation. At the moment I do not work there full time, but when necessary, do everything to help.”
Three years ago Mariam started to work at GPI Holding after the job fair. She was nominated by her employees in the contest of voluntary activities at Vienna Insurance Group (VIG). She could not believe her eyes when she received a letter from VIG with an invitation to Vienna to take part in the award ceremony.
“This award is like a miracle for me! I was allowed to take one accompanying person to Vienna and of course, I choose Keti, my daughter, to whom I actually dedicated my voluntary work.
In my remarks at the award ceremony, I tried to express my feelings of happiness and gratitude for the recognition and fantastic and wonderful trip to Vienna. In 2008, when my foundation was created, we gave each other a promise that we will be happy and this is a miracle that we are here together in Vienna, along with my daughter, who is healthy and full of life!”