CALITHEA CARES
PHILOTIMO is the essence of Greek culture. When the word is translated and broken apart, the two words mean friend and love of honor or respect. But, what does that really mean? Uniquely Greek, PHILOTIMO means the following: honor, dignity, duty, humility, character, courage, compassion, generosity, personal sacrifice, and pride.
PHILOTIMO is a set of values to live by and describes a beautiful way of life. It means that you give without expecting anything in return, and always do what is right. It is a celebration of values for the greater good. It is how we express love and make the world a better place.
PHILOTIMO is also the love of humanity …. a love of family and a love of community.
“My parents embodied this. And as my baba would often say, “A Greek is not a Greek without Philotimo” “It’s generational and a way of life, and my wife and I are teaching it to our children. It is living for something bigger than yourself, inspiring others, and leaving a legacy,” explained George.
For Elena and George, CALITHEA cares is one example of PHILOTIMO and how they hope to make a legacy. And, with your help; together, we can make an impact and change the world for the better.
And our ENTIRE community cares about us.
In January of 2019, our family received devastating news …. a diagnosis that would impact our entire family and especially our incredibly brave and youngest child, Elias.
After noticing that our 12-year-old’s eye was twitching a lot, my wife and I decided that he should see an Ophthalmologist. We did so and were then referred to Pittsburgh’s Children’s Hospital for an MRI. After several brain biopsy surgeries and a trip to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, we had received the grim diagnosis:
Elias was diagnosed with Anaplastic Astrocytoma, a rare, malignant, inoperable brainstem tumor.
During an 11 week stay in Memphis at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Elias endured 2 brain surgeries, countless MRIs, and 6 weeks of rigorous Radiation treatments. Over this time period, our entire community was remarkable with their support. From prayers, cards, fundraisers, and meals for our 2 older children who were at home for those 11 weeks. Upon Elias’s return, he began an unprecedented chemotherapy treatment in which he absorbed over 600 doses over a 14 month period. We couldn’t have made it without our Greek family and friends, as well as our entire hometown community of BEAVER, Pennsylvania. Thank you to all who have supported and continue to support our family. Elias’s battle continues and so does the cause of Calithea Skin and Body Care and becoming a Partner in Hope with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to help eradicate pediatric cancer.
You all are PHILOTIMO and you all are LOVED!
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee is an extraordinary place.
“The mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Consistent with the vision of our founder Danny Thomas, no child is denied treatment based on race, religion, or a family’s ability to pay.”
A Symbol of Hope
(Source: St. Jude Children’s Research Center website)
The late entertainer and entrepreneur, Danny Thomas officially opened St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital on February 4, 1962, with the unveiling of the statue of St. Jude Thaddeus. Unsure of his life’s direction, a young Danny Thomas sought guidance from St. Jude Thaddeus, the patron saint of hopeless causes. If the saint would point to the path he should take, Danny vowed to build a shrine in his name. Success followed Danny’s plea and soon after, the legendary entertainer set about fulfilling his vow to St. Jude. The result was St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
By 1955 Danny and a group of Memphis businessmen he’d rallied to build the hospital decided it should be more than a general children’s hospital. At the time, the survival rate for childhood cancers was 20%, and for those with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) — the most common form of childhood cancer — only 4% of children would live. They believed that St. Jude could help these families with nowhere else to turn. St. Jude would become a unique research institution where the world’s best doctors and scientists would work together to cure childhood cancer, sickle cell and other deadly and infectious diseases. And for families with children battling these diseases, Danny wanted to remove the burden of treatment costs, so they were free to focus on their child.
CALITHEA CARES deeply about children and adolescents and is very GRATEFUL for the AMAZING CARE that St. Jude Hospital provides Elias and all of the children that go there.
As an online business and E-commerce store, whose audience for its skin and body care product line is women, men, teens, and people of all races CALITHEA Skin and Body Care believes that we can serve as an advocate for and healer of, adolescents and children of all races, girls, and boys alike who are fighting this awful disease of pediatric cancer. This is why CALITHEA Skin and Body Care has become a Partner in Hope with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital not only to say thank you for all the life-saving care and treatment that Elias is receiving but for ALL the children and adolescents St. Jude is caring for.
As a result, we commit to the following;
With each purchase of CALITHEA Skin and Body Care products, CALITHEA will donate $1.00 to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital because CALITHEA CARES. Thank you for your support!
