A Thousand Cranes for Nastia: Pancreatic Surgery and Care Beyond Borders

Nastia, a young mother from Ukraine, began experiencing persistent abdominal pain shortly after giving birth. What first looked like postpartum exhaustion turned frightening when tests revealed atypical cells — and cancer could not be ruled out.

In the middle of that uncertainty, her mother reached out to Prof. Dr. Mert Erkan at Acibadem, internationally recognized in pancreatic surgery. For the first time, the family felt clarity and hope.

The night before the operation, Nastia’s mother handed Prof. Dr. Erkan a small blue origami crane — one of a thousand folded together with her colleagues, inspired by Sadako’s story, carrying a single wish: that her daughter would survive.

The surgery was performed successfully, and Nastia’s follow-up care continued for years. When the war in Ukraine later made access to essential medication difficult, her care continued across borders — because treatment at Acibadem does not end at discharge.

Pancreatic conditions demand experienced, high-volume surgical teams and honest, timely answers. If you are facing an uncertain diagnosis, request a second opinion from our specialists, or start with a free case review — and explore our oncology and surgery programs.