International Women’s Day is more than just celebrating women’s achievements. It’s a day to honor those who have bravely fought against cancer.
Women everywhere, including Cyprus, have faced serious illnesses with strength and courage. Some didn’t win the battle, but they deserve recognition for their dignity and perseverance. Others survived and shared their stories, spreading messages of hope, strength, and the importance of prevention.
In Cyprus, women like Maria Markou, Antigoni Louka, Marilena Palazi, Elena Efstathiou, Maria Ioannou, Christina Dimitriou, and Giota Koufalidou shared their journeys. They talked about their diagnoses, the challenges of treatment, and how their lives changed after their health struggles. By sharing their experiences, they encouraged other women to get preventive check-ups and speak openly about their health.
International Women’s Day is a chance to honor those who fought and won. It reminds us that life can still be full of strength, hope, and new beginnings after tough times.
MARIA MARKOU
“I wanted to create many more memories with my children and family. I promised myself to do my best… There were moments when I felt weak, which is normal in such situations. But we must find the strength to rise again and keep fighting.”
ANTIGONI LOUKA
“I want to say a few words to those currently fighting. You might feel tired today, scared, or even alone; you are not alone. Every breath and every small step is an act of bravery. Allow yourself to ask for help, to cry, and to hope. There is a path ahead, and we walk it together. I thank all organizations supporting us during this journey. Cancer can change your life. You may not be the same person anymore; we are not the same people. But it does not define you. You continue to write your own story. Every story deserves to be heard.”
MARILENA PALAZI
“On this International Women’s Day, I celebrate more than just the woman inside me. I celebrate life. Today marks the start of my diagnosis…and the beginning of a challenging yet precious journey towards a second chance. This journey has ups and downs, fear and pain but also immense strength and love for life. With my family by my side, my children and loved ones who appreciate me, this journey gains meaning.
I stand here today grateful for this second chance at life. I promise to live every moment with love and bravery. To never forget how precious life is. To honor the woman who fought back tears but remained strong. Today I celebrate me! The woman! The strength! The life! Happy International Women’s Day! We are not alone. Together we can change the world.
GIOTA KOUFALIDOU
“The diagnosis came after a routine check-up in late July. My first thought was of my son Vasilis. Honestly, even now I don’t know why I felt such strength inside me when my doctor told me I had breast cancer. I didn’t cry or panic at all. It was shocking but I faced it with positivity from the start.”
CHRISTINA DIMITRIOU
“July 14th 2023.. My hair started falling out. The day I dreaded had come; it was time to shave it off with my husband by my side at the salon holding my hand as the razor glided over my head telling me how beautiful I was while everything felt worse than it actually was! What mattered now was my health! For my kids, I’m their mom with or without hair! We laughed about it looking like hedgehogs trying on wigs in fun colors! As an educator, I knew honesty was best; I told the kids from the start that mom has cancer and will lose her hair but will get better.”
ELENA EFSTATHIOU
“I was diagnosed on February 8th 2016—my birthday! Learning early helps you handle things better; I could never have known how strong that shock would be. Quickly realizing what was happening made me face it with courage and humor; I knew I’d handle everything fine! The hardest moment was seeing my children’s eyes before surgery; they gave me support through everything.”
MARIA IOANNOU
“Many things strengthened my faith like giving birth and going through health issues. At one point during a random check-up with an endocrinologist, they found something in my thyroid tests that suggested a high chance of cancer. I told Zenon not to worry but tests showed otherwise; meanwhile, I spoke with a close priest asking him to pray for me as we figured out what was happening.”
