7th anniversary of signing of Paris Charter against Cancer
Celebrities from the sciences, politics, the arts and business, along with representatives of many European royal houses, descended on the Palace of Versailles on February 5 for the seventh anniversary of the signing of the Paris Charter against Cancer. UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Marianna Vardinoyianni, who is the president of the Elpida Foundation, which is set to build the first oncology hospital for children, said, «It is the primary duty of us all to join in the fight against cancer.» Patron of this major event, held by AVEC (Association pour la Vie – Espoir contre le Cancer) is French President Jacques Chirac. Host for the evening was Dr David Khayat, professor of oncology, president and founder of AVEC. Members of the event’s honorary committee included French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin and his wife, France’s Health Minister Bertrand Xavier, Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy, Trade Minister Christine Lagarde, Anne-Aymone Giscard D’Estaing and Olivier Dassault. The event was sponsored by Lily Sistra. The evening included a concert by pianist Mikhail Rudy and soprano Arielle Dombasle. Guests at the official table included the Princesses Beatrice de Bourbon, Catherine of Yugoslavia, Prince Philip Erasme and Princess Isabelle of Lichtenstein and Lord Michael Anders-Cavendish.
