"Through the eyes of students": the new generation of doctors at the forefront of lung cancer prevention
SOCIETY
CIVIL SOCIETY: 301 PRACTICES
TOPIC:
Initiative
SUBMITTED FROM:
FAIRLIFE LUNG CANCER CARE
Objective Action
The initiative "Through the Eyes of Students" was designed by FairLife L.C.C. in collaboration with the Scientific Society of Hellenic Medical Students (EEFIE/SSHMS), with the aim of transforming scientific knowledge about lung health and lung cancer into clear, human-centered, and easily accessible information. It’s primary objective was to raise public awareness of prevention, screening, early diagnosis, and equitable access to high-quality healthcare services.
The initiative addressed a critical public health gap: although many people recognize lung cancer as a serious health threat, they often lack awareness of the symptoms to watch for, the risk factors, when to seek medical advice, and how screening can save lives. At the same time, it aimed to counter common misconceptions, including the belief that lung cancer affects only people who use tobacco products. The awareness campaign was conducted without fear, guilt, or overly technical language, ensuring the message was scientifically accurate, understandable, and easily shareable.
A strategic goal was also to activate medical students as ambassadors for prevention. Through their participation, the students took an active role in social responsibility, connecting academic knowledge with the real needs of the community.
Target Audience
The initiative targeted the general population, with particular emphasis on individuals at increased risk, including people who use tobacco products, former tobacco users who have quit, older adults, individuals with a family history of lung cancer, and those exposed to environmental or occupational risk factors. At the same time, it reached young people, students, families, caregivers, and members of the wider community who need reliable, evidence-based information about symptoms, diagnosis, screening, and modern treatment options.
Indirectly, the initiative also engaged the academic community by highlighting the role of medical students as advocates for public health and social change. The use of public spaces and digital channels enabled the engagement of different age groups and social demographics: from citizens met face-to-face in cities to social media users who engaged with the message through short, familiar, and easy-to-understand videos.
Duration
November 2025, with preparation before the actions, digital/journalistic dissemination after the implementation, and continuation of the collaboration with SSHMS in 2026.
Description
In the occasion of Lung Cancer Awareness Month in November, FairLife L.C.C., in collaboration with the Scientific Society of Hellenic Medical Students (EEFIE/SSHMS), implemented a nationwide awareness campaign combining street outreach, printed educational materials, and digital communication. The initiative was built around a simple yet powerful idea: to give an active role to the new generation of medical scientists, so that knowledge about prevention, screening, and early diagnosis could reach the public in a direct, understandable, and human-centered way.
During the period of November 14–28, 2025, the on-site street actions were designed to ensure wide geographical coverage and enhance the nationwide reach of the initiative, covering key regions of the country: Thessaly (Larissa), Attica (Athens – Korai Square), Epirus (Ioannina), Western Greece (Patras), Eastern Macedonia and Thrace (Alexandroupoli), and Central Macedonia (Thessaloniki – Aristotelous Square). FairLife L.C.C. delivered 3,430 informational leaflets to the local SSHMS departments, featuring core messages on lung health and providing access, via QR codes, to educational content and a quiz on screening.
Concurrently, 14 short informational videos were created by medical students across seven departments: Athens, Thessaloniki, Patras, Ioannina, Larissa, Alexandroupoli, and Crete. The videos addressed myths, early symptoms, risk factors, e-cigarettes, screening (LDCT), the diagnostic pathway, and modern treatment options, in a format that was concise, scientifically responsible, and social-media-friendly.
The distinctive feature of this initiative was its multi-level communication: the same scientific message was communicated on the street, through printed materials, on social media, and on YouTube, creating content with a lasting impact beyond the campaign’s duration. The students did not merely participate as volunteers, but as active co-creators of the content, contributing their own voice, presence, and responsibility. Thus, the initiative brought together the experience of a patient organization, the scientific knowledge of young doctors, and the public’s need for reliable, practical, and human-centered information.
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Impact on Society
The initiative had a significant and measurable social and communicative footprint, both in the physical field and the digital environment.
Street actions: Six actions took place in an equal number of cities, reaching an estimated total of approximately 2,500 citizens through direct information, dialogue, and the distribution of printed materials. To support these actions, FairLife L.C.C. delivered a total of 3,430 informational leaflets to the SSHMS departments: 750 in Athens, 680 in Thessaloniki, and 500 in each of the cities of Patras, Ioannina, Larissa, and Alexandroupolis. Of these, approximately 3,000 leaflets were distributed to the public.
Based on the available individual records, for example:
- Patras: Approximately 250-300 people were approached, with at least 50% showing active interest through questions and discussion.
- Ioannina: Approximately 300 citizens were approached.
- Thessaloniki: The distribution of about 500 informational leaflets was documented, while the remaining ones were returned for an accurate inventory assessment. Approximately 30 people participated in free preventive screening, and many more scanned the QR code for future updates.
- Alexandroupolis: Approximately 200 citizens were approached, mostly aged 50+, while about 10 expressed interest in free preventive screening, in collaboration with the University Pulmonary Clinic of PGNA (University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis).
Digital campaign: The total cross-platform reach exceeded 549,000 views, confirming that the message of prevention went beyond the boundaries of the street actions and reached a wide audience through multiple digital channels.
- Facebook recorded 303,000+ views, 180,000 viewers, and 1,400 interactions.
- TikTok exceeded 139,000 views, with top videos surpassing 39,000 views.
- YouTube recorded 30,676 views and 77.3 hours of watch time.
- Instagram gathered approximately 77,000 views and 350+ interactions.
Specifically in Ioannina, the initiative's content recorded 50,395 views and reached 7,218 accounts, representing a 659% increase in reach.
Publicity: The impact was further amplified through 26 mentions in online media, reposts, and social media, with an estimated media reach of 695,173, further expanding the campaign's footprint.
Beyond the numbers, the initiative opened a meaningful dialogue on the prevention and early diagnosis of lung cancer. It highlighted knowledge gaps, questions, and hesitations, but also a willingness to be informed when the message is delivered with clarity, respect, and a humane approach.
Citizens' reactions confirmed that while many are aware of the role of smoking behavior, fewer know that the disease can also affect people with no history of tobacco use, that low-dose CT scans are intended for specific high-risk groups, and that early diagnosis is linked to better treatment options. Thus, the initiative also functioned as a community listening mechanism, highlighting the need for more knowledge, less fear, and continuous, reliable, non-stigmatizing information.
Initiative Location
Nationwide initiative with a physical presence in Athens, Thessaloniki, Patras, Ioannina, Larissa, and Alexandroupolis, and video production from seven SSHMS departments, including Crete.
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Working with Organization
The initiative was implemented in cooperation with the Scientific Society of Hellenic Medical Students (SSHMS) and its local departments. The collaboration was substantial on an organizational, scientific, and communication level, featuring joint planning, active student participation, content production, street actions, social media dissemination, and printed materials. SSHMS brought a nationwide, youthful momentum, while FairLife L.C.C. provided the focus area, patient experience, and connection to prevention, early diagnosis, and public health.
The value of this collaboration was not limited to November 2025. In 2026, FairLife L.C.C. continued to support the new generation of medical scientists through three SSHMS initiatives, confirming that the initial campaign served as the starting point for a long-lasting relationship.
At the 9th Clinical Course of Internal Medicine and Surgery - CCIMS, held on March 12-15, 2026, at the University of Patras, FairLife L.C.C. participated as a supporter with an informational booth, printed materials, audiovisual content, and awareness actions regarding prevention, early diagnosis, and screening.
At the Emergency Cases School - E.C.S., in Alexandroupoli on March 6-8, 2026, it supported an educational experience that combined theoretical knowledge, practical training, case simulations, and hands-on workshops, highlighting the need for readiness, cooperation, and human understanding.
At the DE TaLK 2026: 'Without Shame', on May 9, 2026, at the Athens War Museum, FairLife L.C.C. participated in an open dialogue about stigma, empathy, and care, conveying the message: 'Don't ask me if I smoked. Ask me how I feel'.
In this way, the campaign developed into, from an isolated awareness action into a sustainable partnership of education, social responsibility, and dialogue with tomorrow's healthcare professionals. This continuity demonstrates that the collaboration did not exhaust itself in a single month of publicity, but created a framework with substance and future perspective.
Beyond its communication impact, the collaboration functioned as a living space for exchange and learning. Students engaged more to the voice and experience of patients, while FairLife L.C.C. established an essential communication channel with the new generation of the medical community. This is the most significant footprint of the initiative: continuous knowledge, deepening awareness, and social contribution with a forward-looking perspective.
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Workers Participation
A total of 93 volunteers from the SSHMS departments participated in the initiative, contributing to both the street actions and the production of related audiovisual material.
FairLife L.C.C. had the overall coordination, as well as the scientific and communication supervision, ensuring a unified, reliable, and humane message.
Below is the available nominal list of the volunteers and participants, organized by branch.
Athens department - street action & video (8 volunteers) Aikaterini Eirini Karampetsou, Dimitra Kostopoulou, Ioanna Partsinovelou, Athanasios Markos Chantzis, Maria Vrettou, Ismini Tsigkane, Olga Chatzidaki, Vasileios Karlis.
Patras department - street action & video (17 volunteers) Giorgos Bakopoulos, Gerasimos Asproudis, Peggy Gkika, Anastasia Kyriaki Kalesi, Vasiliki Kapsali, Maria Kerpinioti, Ioanna Dellaporta, Fani Moultsia, Maria Mikelopoulou, Nikolaos-Nektarios Tziviskos, Lida Tsevi, Chrysoula Aikaterina Lagou, Athanasia Michailelli, Zoumpoulia Diavati, Panagiotis Trakas, Theodora Vangeli, Emmanouil Psarros.
Larissa department - street action & video (10 volunteers) Konstantinos Georgakopoulos, Emmanouela-Emmeleia Paka, Ioannis Nikolaos Mitsopoulos, Ioannis Bakalis, Tatiana Mikaela Beni, Eleni Nikolaidou, Panagiota Makri, Konstantina Malakasi, Thalassia Gkissaki, Vasileios Chatzitolios.
Ioannina department - street action & video (15 volunteers) Dimitra Maria Kaza, Eleftherios Giannis, Maria Mavrogianni, Konstantinos Karagiorgos, Charalampos Chatzidimitriou, Olga Togia, Nikol Kyriakopoulou, Iro Gkartzonika, Konstantinos Spyridis, Kalliopi Fourkioti, Evangelia-Lina Rizopoulou, Ilianna Names, Vasileios Meimaridis, Afroditi Liami, Michaela Maria Tarchanidou.
Crete department - digital action / video (2 volunteers) Zoi Ioanna Triantafyllidou, Charis Annette Benjamin.
Thessaloniki department — street action & video (27 volunteers) Vasileios Ediaroglou, Maria Chatzidimitriou, Maria Nitsa, Afroditi Noti, Emmanouela Pantelidaki, Korina Rekanou, Georgia Stoila, Giorgos Sanakidis, Stavroula Kotti, Vasiliki Zerva, Maria Nikolaropoulou, Marilena Kriki, Dimitra Sotiropoulou, Konstantina Tzampazi, Androniki Chouri, Marina Ioannidou, Vasiliki-Maria Arampatzi, Nikolas Antoniou, Georgia Chondrogianni, Rafailia Gidari, Polyxeni Maria Rentouli, Eirini Alexou, Elena Mouratidou, Athanasios Gatsis, Thanasis Angelidis.
Scientific Director of the action: Sofia Lampaki, Pulmonologist, Academic Fellow AUTh. On behalf of the Municipality of Thessaloniki: Drosos Tsavlis, City Councilor of Thessaloniki.
Alexandroupolis department - street action & video (14 volunteers) Anastasia Sereti, Androniki Karakosta, Ariadni Lampropoulou, Marilia Georgiou, Ioannis Karakoulidis, Konstantinos Chytopoulos, Dimitris Kaitatzis, Chrysi Panou, Anastasios Tragomalas, Maria Aprili, Apostolos Goulas, Ariadni Porfyridou, Ioannis Kepidis, Iro Papadomichelaki.
External partners:
- Advertising and CommunicationS: Catalytica
- Graphic Design & Printed Materials: Sofia Filou
- Copyediting and translations: Angeliki Souri
- Publicity: Reputation Unique
- Media Monitoring Services: INNEWS
- Courier Services: ACS
As a result of the initiative, mental health professionals approached FairLife L.C.C., recognizing its interdisciplinary reach; indicatively, psychologist Eirini Kontostavlou and social workers Marina Angelakopoulou and Maria-Irene Sitara.
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Benefits for Οrganization
For FairLife L.C.C., the initiative reinforced its role as a public health organization investing in prevention, awareness, and the cultivation of an early diagnosis culture. The collaboration with SSHMS added credibility, youthful energy, and scientific momentum to the organization's message, while expanding its network of partnerships on a nationwide scale.
Concurrently, the action generated reusable educational content, strengthened FairLife L.C.C.'s presence among the new generation of healthcare professionals, and highlighted the patient experience as a key element of education and awareness. It demonstrated that a patient organization can act as a coordinator for social and scientific mobilization, bringing together citizens, medical students, academic communities, and healthcare institutions around a common goal: more knowledge, less fear, more prevention.
The most significant benefit was establishing a continuous relationship with the new generation of doctors, which is already evolving through new initiatives with SSHMS. Thus, the campaign acquired value far beyond its month of implementation: it became the foundation for a forward-looking collaboration that builds bridges between science, society, and compassionate care.
Connection with Global Goals
More Initiatives from Organization
“Healthy Lungs”
“OncoNoesis”: Educational Program for Nurses on Lung Cancer
