The Hellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association (HCFA) is a non-profit association of patients. It was founded in 1983 in Athens and represents Cystic Fibrosis patients and their families nationwide.
The Association plays a leading role in the support of patients with Cystic Fibrosis in every corner of Greece, aiming at the unified and dynamic representation of all patients with Cystic Fibrosis at a national level. The Board of Directors is composed of patients and parent-caregivers from the Cystic Fibrosis Centers at the Children’s Hospitals-Agia Sophia, Sismanoglio, Hippocrates Hospital of Thessaloniki, Papanikolaou Hospital, as well as the Lung Transplant Monitoring Center at Attica Hospital.
It is one of the oldest patient associations in Greece. Throughout its 43-year history, the Association has played a pivotal role in reshaping the cystic fibrosis landscape in Greece. Through the collective effort of all its members, it improves the quality of life of patients and ensures their active participation in decisions and actions concerning their health and rights.
The Association is registered in the Greek National Registry of Non- Profit Private Sector Social Care Agency and in the Greek Registry of Voluntary Non- Governmental Organizations (NGOs).
The Association is a founding member of the Greek Patients Association and the Rare Diseases Greece (RDG) and it’s a member and representative of Greek CF community in European organizations.
Members of the Board of Directors
Anna Spinou
President
Anna Spinou
President of the Hellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association
Anna Spinou is an adult living with cystic fibrosis in Greece. Diagnosed at six months of age, she is followed at the Adult Cystic Fibrosis Unit of Sismanogleio General Hospital in Athens.
She holds a degree in Business Administration from the Athens University of Economics and Business and is a holder of the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English and the Sorbonne II French Language Diploma.
Following a 15-year career in administrative departments at Athens University General Hospital "Attikon", she retired from public service due to disability.
Since 2018 she is the President of the Hellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association.
She is a member of the Working Group of the Greek National Cystic Fibrosis Patient Registry under the Greek Ministry of Health and serves as an ePAG (European Patient Advocacy Group) representative for cystic fibrosis within the European Reference Network for Rare Respiratory Diseases ERN-LUNG.
She is a certified patient expert and a graduate of the European Patients’ Academy on Therapeutic Innovation (EUPATI Fellow).
Previous leadership positions include:
- Board Member of EURORDIS – Rare Diseases Europe (May 2023 – May 2026)
- President and Member of the Board of Directors of the Rare Diseases Greece (2021-2023)
- Secretary General of the Hellenic Federation of Rare Disease Associations - EOS-SPANOPA (2017-2019)
- Secretary General of the Hellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association (2015–2017)
- Member of the Board of Directors of the Hellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association (2003- 2005)
Representing people with cystic fibrosis in Greece, she actively participates in working groups, advisory boards, and meetings of European organizations, including CF Europe, EURORDIS, the European Lung Foundation (ELF), and the European Society for Organ Transplantation – European Transplant Patient Organizations (ESOT-ETPO).
Through her personal experience as a patient and her many years of participation in the Boards of Directors of patient associations as a recognized patient expert, combined with her knowledge as a former health care worker, she has an excellent knowledge of the issues concerning patients with Cystic Fibrosis and patients with rare diseases.
Constantina Giannaki
Vice President
Constantina Giannaki
General Secretary of the Hellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association
Konstantina Giannaki is the mother of a boy who suffers from Cystic Fibrosis and is being treated at the CF Department of the Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital.
She studied Marketing at Deree College and holds a Michigan Certificate of Proficiency in English. She works at the Hellenic American Union.
She is a member of the Hellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association since 2016. Since 2019 she has been offering her services to the Board of Directors, having taken over the secretarial support of the Association. Since 2021, she has been elected General Secretary of the Association, providing important services in promoting the activities of the Association.
George Plala
Secretary General
George Plala
Secretary General of the Panhellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association
George Plala is the father of a 9-year-old boy with Cystic Fibrosis who is being treated at the Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital and knows first-hand the challenges of the disease and the concerns of parents.
He holds a degree in Business Administration from Hertfordshire University-London and an Advanced Diploma in Marketing from City College London. She has excellent knowledge of English and French (B1 level). She works in the private sector in an accreditation company.
Since 2018, she has been actively involved in all the Association's activities and has taken important initiatives to defend the rights of Cystic Fibrosis patients and support them.
Nadia Proga
Treasurer
Nadia Proga
Treasurer of the Hellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association
Nadia Proga is a mother of two children suffering from Cystic Fibrosis and is being treated at the CF Department of the Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital.
She has studied graphic design and holds a Lower Certificate in English, and runs a business in the centre of Athens.
She actively participates in the promotion of the objectives of the Hellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association and since 2013 she has been the Treasurer of the Association, offering services in the handling of the procedures of the financial department.
Christos Bakodimos
Rev. Secretary
Christos Bakodimos
Deputy Secretary of the Panhellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association
Christos Bakodimos is the father of a boy who suffers from Cystic Fibrosis and is being treated in the CF department of the Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital. He lives in Athens and works as a salesman.
He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Panhellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association since 2018.
He has actively contributed to the implementation of the Association's actions and events, supporting its work with dedication.
Melina Tiglianidou
Rev. Treasurer
Μελίνα (Σουμέλα) Τιγκλιανίδου
Deputy Treasurer of the Panhellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association
Melina Tigklianidou was born in Ptolemaida, Greece, in 1988 and is currently based in Thessaloniki, Greece.
Ως ασθενής Κυστικής Ίνωσης, παρακολουθείται από τους γιατρούς του Τμήματος Κ.Ι. του Νοσοκομείου Ιπποκράτειου στη Θεσσαλονίκη.
She holds a degree from the School of Agriculture of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, with a specialization in Agricultural Economics. She has worked as an agronomist for the Regional Unit of Chalkidiki in Polygyros, Greece.
As a person living with cystic fibrosis, she has developed a deep understanding of the challenges associated with the disease and actively contributes to the Association’s activities, representing people with cystic fibrosis living in Northern Greece.
Marilena Tsentidou
Member
Marilena Tsentidou
Member of the Board of Directors of the Hellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association
Marilena Tsentidou is a patient with Cystic Fibrosis and is being treated at the C.I. Center of the Sismano Hospital.
He has studied accounting and speaks German and English. She has previously worked in a family business. After the birth of her son she moved to Cyprus 27 years ago. A few years later health reasons made it necessary for her to return to Greece where she still resides today.
In recent years he has been involved in an innovative technique for Greece in the production and decoration of biscuits. Recently she started studying at the University of Athens.
Our Partners
Dr Stavroula Rakitzi
Psychologist – Volunteer Scientific Lead and Coordinator of Psychotherapy CF Support Groups.
Dr Dipl.-Psych. Stavroula Rakitzi
Psychologist – Volunteer Scientific Lead and Coordinator of Psychotherapy CF Support Groups
Dr. Dipl.-Psych. Stavroula Rakitzi is a licensed psychologist. She studied psychology at the Georg August University of Göttingen in Germany, where she specialized in Clinical Psychology. She holds the European Diploma of Psychology. He was trained in Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy in Athens at the Institute for Behavioural Research and Therapy according to the criteria of the European Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies. She completed her doctoral studies at the University of Koblenz-Landau in Germany in Clinical Psychology and Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy.
She has been working as a psychologist since 2001 and as a freelancer since 2003. She is a trainer and supervisor of cognitive behavioral psychotherapy in her private practice. She is in charge of research protocols on the effectiveness of combining pharmacotherapy and specialized psychotherapy for patients with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia in her private practice.
She has participated as a speaker in national and international conferences. He is the author of articles and books. He is a member of the Hellenic Society for Behavioral Research and Therapy (www.eees.gr), the Association of German-speaking Psychologists BDP (www.bdp.org) and the American Psychological Association (APA).
Since 2022, Stavroula Rakitzi has been volunteering with the Hellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association as the Scientific Lead and Coordinator of a cognitive-behavioral group psychotherapy program for people with cystic fibrosis and their caregivers. The positive outcomes of the program were published in 2025 in the peer-reviewed journal Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy. Rakitzi, S., Spinou, A. & Giannaki, K. The Effectiveness of an Online Group Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy in Hellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association in Patients and Caregivers.J Rat-Emo Cognitive-Behav Ther 43, 50 (2025)
In 2026, Stavroula Rakitzi continues her valuable voluntary contribution to the Hellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association through the launch of a three-year randomized clinical trial involving people with cystic fibrosis and their caregivers, in collaboration with volunteer mental health counselor Eirini Pavlidi. The study compares a cognitive-behavioral psychological support program with control groups and is officially registered on ClinicalTrials.gov.
Irene Pavlidi
Mental Health Counselor – Volunteer Coordinator of Psychotherapy Support Groups
Irene Pavlidi
Volunteer Coordinator of CF Psychotherapy Groups
Eirini Pavlidi is a Mental Health Counselor holding a BSc (Hons) in Psychology from the University of East London. Her work has focused on providing psychological support to vulnerable populations and developing psychosocial interventions. She has also participated in Research and Innovation Conferences, presenting scientific work in the field of mental health and psychosocial support.
Εργάζεται ιδιωτικά ως σύμβουλος ψυχικής υγείας, βοηθώντας άτομα στη διαχείριση άγχους, κατάθλιψης και άλλων ζητημάτων.
Between May 2024 and September 2025, she served as a volunteer at the IASIS Day Center, delivering group therapy to adult service users and providing training for caregivers on psychoeducation, crisis intervention, and self-care strategies.
Prior to her work in mental health, she served in senior leadership and Human Resources management roles within a multinational organization. She brings extensive experience in workforce management, HR policy development, team leadership, and organizational effectiveness, while integrating psychological principles into employee assessment, professional development, and team performance enhancement.
Throughout her career, she has pursued continuous professional development in modern psychological support approaches, with a particular focus on stress management. Her work is dedicated to enhancing psychological resilience, promoting well-being, and improving the quality of life of the individuals and communities she supports.
Since January 2025, she has been an active volunteer with the Hellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association. In 2025, she provided counseling support through the Association’s “Unlimited Breath” Cystic Fibrosis Helpline and contributed to the development and review of the children’s educational book Secret Mission: CF², an awareness initiative promoting empathy, inclusion, and understanding of cystic fibrosis and other invisible conditions.
Since January 2026, she has coordinated the control groups of a three-year randomized controlled trial for people with cystic fibrosis and their caregivers, under the scientific supervision of Dr. Stavroula Rakitzi. The study evaluates the effectiveness of a cognitive-behavioral psychological support program compared with control groups and has been officially registered on ClinicalTrials.gov.
Eleni Saltouridou
Social Worker – Head of CF Helpline
Eleni Saltouridou
Helpline Manager "Unlimited Breath"
Eleni Saltouridou is a licensed Social Worker and an active member of the Association of Social Workers of Greece. She studied Social Work at the Democritus University of Thrace.
Since 2017, she has worked extensively with vulnerable populations, beginning her career on the front line of reception services in refugee camps in Northern Greece. From 2019 onwards, her work has focused primarily on unaccompanied minors and individuals with complex psychosocial needs. She has also served at the Immediate Access Care Unit of the Greek Organization Against Drugs (OKANA), where she provided counseling, psychosocial support, empowerment interventions, therapeutic group facilitation, and client accompaniment services.
She currently serves as an external collaborator for a municipality, supporting programs and services for children and their families. Over the course of her professional career, she has worked with a wide range of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and public institutions in both Thessaloniki and Athens, gaining extensive experience in psychosocial support and community-based interventions.
From April 2024 Eleni Saltouridou offers counselling, empowerment and psychosocial support services at the Cystic Fibrosis Helpline "Unlimited Breath".
Dionysis Chionis
Legal Advisor
Dionysis Chionis
Legal Advisor
Dionysis Chionis is a lawyer before the Supreme Court, a graduate of the Law School of the University of Athens with a postgraduate degree in Criminal Sciences (specialization in Criminology) from the same School.
In addition to practicing law, he collaborates with the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (Lifelong Learning Center) as a Lecturer-Author and Instructor in Criminology training programs, and is President and founding member of the Center for the Study of Crime. He is a scientific collaborator of the publishing house "Nomiki Bibliothiki" and the legal information technology company "Nomotelia".
He has been a scientific collaborator of the Laboratory of Criminal and Criminological Research of the Law School of the University of Athens, a legal advisor of the NGO "Epanodosis" for the social reintegration of released prisoners, as well as a member of the Board of Directors of the NGO.P.I.D. "Research Centre for Equality Issues", Associate Professor of Criminology at the Academy of Officers of the Hellenic Police and regular professor of law courses at I.E.K.
He has participated in forensic research projects of the University of Athens and has taken part as a national expert in research projects and projects of the European Commission and the Council of Europe.
His articles and studies have been published in Greek and international scientific journals, he has participated as an author in collective works on criminal law and criminology and has presented numerous papers at scientific conferences.
Scientific Committee
The Panhellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association is supported by a Scientific Committee, which consists of scientists specialized in Cystic Fibrosis from all hospitals in Greece, where patients are monitored and treated.
The mission of the Scientific Committee is to support and advise the Board of Directors on medical and other related issues, aiming at the scientific establishment and medical documentation of the positions and actions of the Association.
- Chanakas Ioannis, Professor Emeritus of Pediatric Pulmonology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Coordinator of the Working Group of the National Cystic Fibrosis Registry of the Ministry of Health
- Diamantea Filia, Pulmonologist, Head of the Cystic Fibrosis Unit for Adults, Sismanoglio General Hospital, Athens
- Manika Aikaterini, Associate Professor of Pulmonology and Pneumology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Head of adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre, Pulmonology Clinic of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, General Hospital "G. Papanikolaou", Thessaloniki
- Loukou Ioanna, MD, MSc, PhD, Pediatrician-Pediatric Pulmonologist, Head of Cystic Fibrosis Center, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, Athens
- Petrochilou Argyri, Pediatrician - Pediatric Pulmonologist, Cystic Fibrosis Center, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, Athens
- Hatziagorou Elpida, MD, PhD, Professor of Pediatric Pediatric Pulmonology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki), Head of the Cystic Fibrosis Unit, 3rd Pediatric Clinic, General Hospital "Hippokratio"
- Fotoulaki Maria, MD, PhD, Professor of Pediatrics and Pediatric Gastroenterology, Director of the 4th Pediatric Clinic, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, "Papageorgiou" Hospital, Thessaloniki, Head of the Cystic Fibrosis Unit of the Interdisciplinary Cystic Fibrosis Center of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
- Pitsidianakis Georgios, Director Pulmonology Department, Head of the CF adult Unit, University General Hospital of Heraklion, Crete
- Emmanuel Paraskakis, An. Professor of Pediatrics, University of Crete, Head of the Cystic Fibrosis Clinic for Children, University General Hospital of Heraklion, Crete (PEPAGNI)
- Konstantinos Bolis, Coordinating Director of the Pediatric, Head of the Pediatric CF Unit, University General Hospital of Patras
- Karetsi Eleni, Pulmonologist, Director of Pulmonology Clinic of the University of Thessaly, Head of the CF Adult Unit, University General Hospital of Larissa
- Perlepe Garifallia-Eirini, Pulmonologist, Doctor of the University of Thessaly, Department of Medicine, Pulmonology Clinic of the University of Thessaly, Head of the Adult C.I. Clinic, University General Hospital of Larissa
- Tsagaris Hercules, Professor of Pulmonology - Intensive Care at the University of Athens, Director of the Attikon Intensive Care Clinic, Scientific Director of the Lung Transplantation Center of the Onassis Cardiosurgical Center
- Theodoropoulos Fotis, Lung Transplantation Centre, Lung Transplantation Centre, Onassis Heart Surgery Centre
- Themistoklis Hamogeorgakis, Director of the B' Cardiac Surgery Department, Head of the Cardiac Surgeon of the Heart - Lung Transplantation Unit & Mechanical Support of the Lung Transplantation Center of Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center