In September 2020, 7-year-old Anastasia was diagnosed with an aggressive form of childhood cancer, also known as diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG).
Greek doctors gave little hope to the young girl and so her parents decided to travel to America, specifically Texas, to a clinic specialising in the disease to give Anastasia a fighting chance at life.
Unfortunately the trip was incredibly costly, and so an initiative started in Greece to financially support the family and young Anastasia, which eventually reached Australia. Relatives of the family who live in Melbourne, approached Neos Kosmos to get word out, and so many expatriates rallied around Anastasia and her parents by donating funds.
“The cost, as it is logical, is unbearable, and will reach 700,000 Euros, but where there is soul and humanity nothing is impossible,” wrote the parents. Through efforts from across the world, the money was raised.
On Saturday, 3 July, Anastasia passed away peacefully in her parents’ arms.
The news of her death was announced by her mother, Xenia, writing on Facebook:
“Today we have a wedding anniversary with Elias Triantafyllakis and today our daughter, our flower girl to pass away. Anastasia fought as much as she could, she was always optimistic and fought a fierce battle with the worst kind of cancer ever. She went to sleep calmly with her mother and father holding her. I know how many of you prayed for this fairy and I know how many of you have been by our side all this time we have been fighting and thank you. Anastasia is no longer suffering.”
