EVENTS

Ms. Fandakova was welcomed as an honorary member of the BBLF Business Ladies Club whose founding was officially announced during the Grand Charity Ball.

More than 20,000 leva will be donated to two causes related to the preservation of the Bulgarian family in its entirety, namely the creation of new life by funding free in vitro procedures for financially burdened families and increasing awareness and prevention of breast cancer. This is the result of the support of some hundred representatives of the responsible business in Bulgaria who took part in BBLF's Grand Charity Ball organized by the Forum for a second consecutive year.

Ms. Jordanka Fandakova, Mayor of Sofia, was an official guest at the charity event. "The results of some causes can be seen immediately, while others must be addressed in the long term, "stated Ms. Fandakova. The Mayor of Sofia commended BBLF's imitative and added that "the State has already allocated funds, but people also have an important supporting role in the realization of civil initiatives".

BBLF Charity marked the beginning of the BBLF Business Ladies Club! Ms. Fandakova was welcomed as an honorary member of the Club whose establishment was officially announced during a charity event by Ms. Maria Shishkova, Chair of BBLF. BBLF Business Ladies Club will be open to all ladies who work in companies members of BBLF.

Among the official guests of the event was Ms. Radina Velcheva, president of the I want a baby Foundation. In her address to the guests she stated "When things are done from the heart and are sincere, then good things happen". Ms. Velcheva said that part of the funds raised from the auction this year will be designed for families who remain outside the state funding for in vitro procedures but are in need of so-called donor programs.

Another part of the funds raised from the charity auction will be donated to the Foundation "Fight against Cancer". Ms. Zoya Paunova, CEO of AstraZeneca Bulgaria, shared with the present guests the company's longstanding efforts together with civic organizations in the country in promoting preventive measures against breast cancer. "I believe that with joint efforts we will make a step forward for the creation of an alliance of oncologists in Bulgaria. She noted the need of a government policy and an approved anti-cancer program that measures up to EU standards and has a focus on prevention, diagnosis and access to modern technology in the fight against breast cancer.

BBLF and its members unite efforts for the second year for charity. Over 15,000 leva were raised in last year's Charity Ball of BBLF and were donated for the provision of in-vitro procedures of 5 families with financial difficulties. As a result, a Varna family have become proud parents of a baby boy and two more babies are expected to be born in the next few months.

This year's sponsors of the event were the America for Bulgaria Foundation, AstraZeneca, Imoti Ltd. and AES Maritza East.

Auction items were donated by Microsoft Bulgaria, Adress Reals Estate, Siemens Enterprise Communications, Avon Cosmetics Bulgaria, Todoroff Wine Cellar, New Symphony Orchestra, Wine & Wine, BNP Paribas, Wine Cellar Minkov Brothers, Drujba GlassWorks, AquaSource, Rotary Club Sofia International, Sorosoptimist Club - Casa Boyana, M3 Communications, Allied Pikfords, M-Tel and Optimum Facility.