Losing a child is a pain that never goes away. But for Kosta Gribilas, losing his seven month old daughter comes as an unimaginable blow in a time that was filled with so much hope.
Australian born Kosta, who moved to Greece when he was 10 was given a second chance at life after receiving a heart transplant in 2008.
The organ donor was Doujon Zammit, a 20-year-old Australian tourist, brutally bashed by a Greek bouncer. For days Doujon was kept on life support, hoping to show signs of improvement. Kosta was just streets away in the Onassis Cardiac Surgery Centre, desperate to find a new heart. As one family was preparing to say goodbye, Kosta was being prepped into surgery.
On August 2, 2008 after 21 weeks waiting to find a compatible donor, Kosta got a new lease on life.
Early this year, Kosta and his wife Poppy welcomed their first child, Konstantina Angelique Gribilas. Kosta affectionately said Konstantina had two fathers thanks to his adopted new heart.
In a short message in Greek on his Facebook page, Kosta announced his daughter’s passing.
“Thank you for all your support, sadly my angle didn’t make it”.
In a previous interview with Neos Kosmos, Kosta had just welcomed his daughter in the world and took the time to thank the Zammit family and took the time to express his special connection with Doujon.
“How can I ever forget Doujon, when every beat of my heart, reminds me how lucky I really am?” he said.
Without him, neither me nor my daughter, would be here.”
“I owe Doujon’s parents, not one, but many thanks. Their generosity saved my life.
Kosta still wears Doujon’s silver leather bracelet and had Doujon’s father as the best man at his wedding. Doujon’s mother, Rosemary, became Konstantina’s godmother at her baptism. Rosemary took on the role wholeheartedly and would ask for photos of little Konstantina growing.
“They feel like this baby is a continuation of their son,” Kosta said.
In another strange turn of fate, Kosta moved to Australia with his wife to find better job prospects after he was left jobless for four years in Greece. In the process he opened a christening business in Sydney that sold various imported Greek products and gifts. Now he will be forever reminded of his young daughter and a happier time every time he steps through his shop.