Eleni Kariophylli fought a long and difficult battle against cancer, which eventually became insurmountable. The veteran Alpha TV journalist endured a painful journey over the past years, facing chemotherapy, anxiety, and unbearable pain at times. Throughout her ordeal, she chose to keep her struggle private, only sharing it with close friends and colleagues who offered their support behind the scenes.
Hours after the sad news of Eleni’s passing, journalist Antigoni Andreadaki, who also faced her own cancer battle, shared an emotional post revealing a private message she had received from Eleni shortly after the latter was diagnosed.
In the message, Eleni wrote: “I admire you! I’ve been going through exactly the same thing for the last three months now (intentionally haven’t made it public yet, I will when I feel ready) with chemo, pains so intense you bang your head against the wall, and each time I break down, I think of two things: the children in the Pediatric Oncology department and those who have lived or are living the same. Always stay strong.”
In her social media post, Antigoni wrote: “I knew Eleni through her work. Not just knew—admired her. We had never met personally until she sent me a message of support when she learned about my health issue. She confided in me about her own diagnosis, even though she had chosen not to share it publicly.
From then on, Eleni kept sending messages. Even though we had never met, we exchanged numbers and kept each other company during our chemotherapy sessions that summer, throughout autumn, and into winter. She always asked first, ‘How are you?’ never giving me the chance to worry about her first. That alone made Eleni truly special. And she was special for many other reasons, which her loved ones speak of today.
‘Everything will be fine, don’t worry,’ she wrote to me the last time we spoke. And since then, we never talked again… I worry, Eleni… I worry… Even though I told you, ‘We’re not meant for this, we have other plans.’ Because you can never predict the next twist in this dance. But for however long this dance lasts on earth, it was an honor to know you. Safe travels…”