Not all that long ago Poppy Siachos was just like any other healthy and active woman, until one day in May 2013 when her fight against multiple sclerosis (MS) started.
While driving down the freeway one day, the wife and mother of two was struck with feelings of dizziness, heart palpitations, sweats and shaking.
A frightening and unusual experience, she describes the moment as though something had just taken over her body.
“I went straight to the hospital as I didn’t know what was happening to me and why my body was acting this way.
They monitored my heart rate and everything seemed to be fine so they sent me home,” she says.
Relating the incident to stress and anxiety, the doctors advised Mrs Siachos to cut down on coffee.
However, an hour later she found herself in an ambulance being taken back to the hospital.
“That day, my life changed and I have not felt the same since,” she says.
By this time, doctors were yet to diagnose her illness and two months later in July she found herself once again being admitted to hospital with a severe case of vertigo.
Unable to walk straight, every step she took led to nausea and vomiting.
Thankfully, Mrs Siachos’ husband was at home that day and was able to carry her down the stairs and take her straight to hospital.
Following the suggestion of an MRI, she was finally diagnosed with Relapsing Remitting MS (RRMS) in October 2013.
“My life was turned upside down. I was an emotional mess just dealing with this horrible realisation,” she says.
An unpredictable disease, the exact cause of MS is currently unknown.
Affecting more women than men, the disease occurs when white blood cells move into the fluid around the brain and spinal cord and attack the protective barrier surrounding the central nervous system.
This leads to scar tissue and affects nerve transmission through the body, making it challenging for the brain to communicate the actions it would like to take to the rest of the body.
Since the diagnosis, Mrs Siachos has been struggling with fatigue, dizziness, often experiencing a burning sensation in her face, arms and head.
Thankfully however, there is hope on the horizon for the Siachos family.
She has been accepted into the Department of Haematology and Cellular Therapy at the National Pirogov Medical Surgical Centre in Moscow, Russia.
There she will have the opportunity to undergo Haematopoietic Stem Cell Treatment (HSCT), currently the only treatment that has been scientifically proven to help put a stop to the advancement of MS.
However, like most treatments of its kind, the earlier the intervention the better.
But to get to Russia and complete the treatment the family faces a hefty bill of $70,000 and is seeking assistance through the generosity of the Greek Australian and wider Australian community.
A Gala Dinner event will be held on Saturday 14 March at Stars International Reception Centre in Preston.
A ticketed event, guests will be treated to a four course meal, live entertainment throughout the night and silent and live auctions, including a raffle.
“I want to be able to see my children grow up and do the things that I used to before – play with them and laugh with them and not be tired and unwell all the time,” she says.
“I want my life back.”
Tickets are available online at www.trybooking.com/GKOD or call Rita on 0422 846 504.
For further information visit www.poppysrussianmsjourney.com.au and to donate, money can be deposited directly to Poppy’s Russian MS Journey, BSB: 063 121, account number: 1095 1395