16 years ago, at the age of 23, he was diagnosed with a blood cancer, Hodgkins lymphoma, for which he underwent chemotherapy and radiation therapy. In 2013, the particular hematological cancer reappeared, only this time before proceeding with the prescribed treatment protocols to fight the cancer, she planned to resort to ovarian tissue cryopreservation in order to protect and preserve her fertility.

In 2021 and after her recovery she returned for the transplant of her cryopreserved ovarian cortex, into her no longer functioning ovaries, to restore her fertility.

After 1.5 years of reactivating her ovaries and having collected eggs that were fertilized with her husband’s sperm, she performed an embryo transfer of two embryos at the blastocyst stage on October 5, 2023.

Today, 39 years old, Irini Koka, is in her 24th week of pregnancy. She is expecting a baby boy and hopes to raise her family soon, as she said during a press conference of the Hellenic Society of Reproductive Medicine, visibly moved, describing the battle she fought and the support she had from her family and doctors.

“During my bone marrow transplant for cancer, when I had a seizure, I could hear my mom’s voices and answer but they didn’t hear me. I said I’ll stay here, I’ll make it and I’ll have children too… only when he starts kicking me, that’s when I understand that I’m not dreaming but it’s true… I’m living it…”.

Ms. Koka’s message to other women, who are going through as difficult a time as she did with cancer, is “not to lose faith and hope. Don’t give up on your dreams. To trust their doctor and above all God…”.

The incident in question puts Greece on the map of the pioneering method of autologous ovarian tissue transplantation, it was reported during a press conference by the scientists.

The president of the Hellenic Society of Reproductive Medicine and emeritus professor of Medicine, EKPA, Michael Koutsilieris, said that “the Hellenic Society of Reproductive Medicine is very happy when distinguished scientists, members of the Society, advance innovative applications of technology and give the joy of motherhood to Greek women” . This leading medical event, as far as the surgical part is concerned, was carried out in a private clinic by specialized doctors and clinical embryologists, in the presence of a team of specialized doctors from the University Hospital of Norway (Oslo University Hospital), led by professor and director of the Department of Reproductive Medicine Peter Zoltan Fedorcsak and the Greek clinical embryologist, director of the IVF Laboratory, Maria Bimba. Another innovation of this great effort was that it was broadcast live online from the operating room to 13 public hospitals in the country, so that other Greek doctors could watch the whole process.

As mentioned in the press conference of the Hellenic Society of Reproductive Medicine, the case of Mrs. Koka will be the subject of special interest, scientific research and commentary at the 4th Panhellenic Reproductive Medicine Conference on “Innovative Approaches”, as the technical aspects and the clinical protocols of this scientific undertaking.

“On the occasion of this incident, we invite all colleagues to contribute so that Greece can become a center of reference for ensuring the reproductive rights of women diagnosed with some form of cancer or other diseases that may be an obstacle to their later reproductive autonomy” , said the general secretary of the Hellenic Society of Reproductive Medicine Konstantinos Pantos.

According to Mr. Panto, 210 children have been born internationally with this method, after the first child in the world, in 2004. He congratulated Mrs. Koka “for the titanic effort to reach her own Ithaca. The mental strength of this woman is a beacon of optimism for many other women with similar problems. To congratulate her husband for the constant and devoted support he has shown over the years to his wife. I bow to both of them with respect…”.

The president of ISA, George Patoulis, addressed a greeting, stressing that “such achievements have created the conditions for Greece to have nothing to envy, from any other country of known value, in terms of reproductive medicine. It has proven in recent years that the combination of the academic community with the private and public sector has triumphed and is respected by the global patient-citizen. That’s why we see a big increase in patients coming from all over the planet.”

Professor Peter Zoltan Fedorchak and embryologist Maria Bimba addressed an online greeting, who even declared that she was proud of “the first positive result we had as Greece” and wished Mrs. Koka that from now on life will bring her only positive news.

Nikolaos Paparistides, former director of the Medically Assisted Reproduction Unit of the “Elena Venizelou” hospital, which participated in the live connection with the 13 hospitals in 2021, pointed out among other things: “After the successful development of this transplantation and the achievement of pregnancy, the public sector with the private initiative will seek cooperation, in order for such efforts to be covered by the insurance agencies. At the upcoming conference it will be known that our cooperation continues with the new management”.