Anastasia Tasoula’s Passing Highlights Cystic Fibrosis Journey

The news in Greek

1. κοινότητα  (f.)
   ομάδα ατόμων που ζουν σε κοντινή απόσταση και έχουν κοινά ενδιαφέροντα ή δραστηριότητες ↩︎
2. θρηνώ
   εκφράζω τη λύπη μου για κάποιον που έχει πεθάνει ↩︎
3. φυσιογνωμία  (f.)
   σημαντική προσωπικότητα με επιρροή σε κάποιον τομέα ↩︎
4. θεραπεία  (f.)
   διαδικασία που βοηθά στην ανάρρωση από ασθένεια ↩︎
5. μεταμόσχευση  (f.)
   χειρουργική διαδικασία που εμπλέκει την αντικατάσταση ενός οργάνου με άλλο ↩︎
6. υπέρμαχος
   άτομο που υποστηρίζει σθεναρά μια ιδέα ή σκοπό ↩︎

Translation

Text comprehension

Question 1: What was Anastasia Tasoula known for in Greece?

Question 2: When and where will Anastasia Tasoula’s funeral take place?

Vocabulary

Greek	English
κοινότητα  (f.)	community
θρηνώ	mourn
φυσιογνωμία  (f.)	personality
θεραπεία  (f.)	therapy
μεταμόσχευση  (f.)	transplant
υπέρμαχος	advocate

Read the full story

The Greek community is mourning the loss of Anastasia Tasoula, a pioneering figure for cystic fibrosis treatment in Greece, following her passing at the age of 27 on Tuesday, 11 November 2025. Anastasia Tasoula was renowned as the first patient in Greece with cystic fibrosis to successfully awaken from sedation after 221 days, a testament to her strength and resilience.

Anastasia’s journey and determination provided hope to many, as she became the first in the country to undergo a successful lung transplantation at the Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center. Her condition saw her spend two and a half months in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), battling a disease that affects lung function and quality of life.

Her family announced her passing with a heartfelt message, expressing gratitude to those who supported her throughout her battle. “With deep sorrow, we announce that our beloved Anastasia left us after a long fight inside and outside the hospital,” read their post, urging those who knew her to gather for her funeral on Friday, 14 November at the Ilioupoli Cemetery.

Anastasia was not only a trailblazer in her medical journey but also an advocate for organ donation—a cause that became deeply personal when she hosted a poignant online discussion that inspired Emma Karyotaki, a young woman who later chose to donate her organs posthumously. This decision impacted lives profoundly, as those like Anastasia who awaited transplants could receive a second chance.

In her own words, Anastasia shared the complexities and daily challenges associated with cystic fibrosis. She described routinely taking 50 medications and undergoing extensive physiotherapy, emphasizing that while her lifestyle might not be considered “normal” by societal standards, it was her reality.

Her story of bravery interlinked with Emma Karyotaki’s act of organ donation, while also highlighting the unpredictable journey of those affected by cystic fibrosis—a genetic disorder prevalent in Greece, characterized by thick mucus that damages vital organs over time. In Greece, around 800 patients live with this condition, with advancements in medicine offering increased hope for longevity.

Anastasia’s life and departure remind us of the tenacity required by those who live with chronic diseases. Her ability to pair humor with adversity served not only as inspiration to fellow patients but also as a clarion call for greater awareness and support for organ donation.

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