In October 2013, Poppy Slachos was diagnosed with Relapsing Remitting MS (RRMS) after suffering nausea, vertigo and vomiting in her family home – two months earlier.
The mother of two young girls, Sammi (4) and Rahnia (7), is holding a fundraiser tonight at the Pontiaki Estia to raise $70,000 for treatment at the Department of Haematology and Cellular Therapy, at the National Pigorov Medical Centre in Moscow.
After feeling the onset of dizziness, heart palpitations, sweats and shaking, she drove herself to hospital in May, 2013, to be told she needed to cut down on coffee, and that her symptoms were brought on by stress and anxiety.
The treatment, not available in Australia, is known as Haematopoietic Stem Cell Treatment and involves six weeks of therapy, through the harvesting of stem cells, which are reintroduced into the body after bouts of chemotherapy. It aims to stop MS in its tracks.
The hospital’s services have been sought out by Australians in the past, seeking the same treatment.
Ms Slachos says the disease has completely changed her life.
“I am often tired, fatigued, my head feels strange all the time, like I have goose bumps and often experience unusual burning sensations in my face, arms and head. I have issues with dizziness, balance and my cognitive function is starting to deteriorate.”
“I want to be able to see my children grow up and do the things that I used to do before. Play with them and laugh with them and not be tired and unwell all the time, and explain to them that mummy is always feeling sick.”
Those who would like to help in Ms Slachos’s cause can do so by purchasing a $65 ticket to the event, which will include music, food and drinks. Tables can be booked by contacting 0421 804 968 or (03) 9381 1761.
The event will be held at the Pontiaki Estia, 540 Sydney Road, Brunswick, on Saturday, December 6 at 7:30pm.