The Machi Filotimo Cancer Project was born from a deeply personal journey. Founder, Evy Michalopoulos, lost her beloved mother, Andromachi (Machi), to Stage 4 Ovarian Cancer on 4 February 2018, World Cancer Day.

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The Reason and Purpose

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On 4 February 2018, World Cancer Day, I lost my mother to Ovarian Cancer within a period of six weeks. It was the most heartbreaking experience of my life.  She was only 68 years old.

 

On 27 December 2017, my mom suddenly fell ill. At the time, we believed she was suffering from IBS and dehydration. At around 11:00 pm that night, I rushed her to a well-known private clinic to seek urgent medical attention for what we thought was dehydration.

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The doctor on call conducted a series of tests, only to return with the devastating news that it was not IBS... my mom had cancer and required immediate admission to the ICU.

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But without medical aid, I was faced with an impossible reality. I was told that a deposit of R390,000.00 was required for her admission and treatment, an amount we simply could not afford.

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With no other option available to us, my mom was transferred that same night to a nearby state hospital, where her condition could be monitored and assessed temporarily while we waited for the oncology department at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital to reopen after the Christmas holidays.

 

On 18 January 2018, she was officially diagnosed with Stage 4 Ovarian Cancer. The disease had already metastasized and no treatment was possible. I was told to take her home, provide palliative care and “get her affairs in order.”  

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Feeling completely overwhelmed and uncertain of what to do next, I struggled to understand what palliative care meant and faced the reality of having no financial and medical support. I made the decision to bring my mom home, where I did everything in my power to provide her with the best home care, medical attention and wound care I could afford, all on my own.

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I held on to hope that perhaps the diagnosis was wrong, that somehow my mom would recover and that we would share another cup of coffee together at her favourite coffee shop.

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But two weeks later, my beautiful mom passed away in my arms.

 

That experience, our family’s “six weeks to live” ...... changed me forever. It left me with a deep yearning to tell my story, to raise awareness about the signs and symptoms of cancer and to ensure no family feels as helpless and alone as we did.

 

This is why I founded the Machi Filotimo Cancer Project, to honour my mother’s life and legacy and to help change someone else’s. I know the heartache of losing someone you love so suddenly, feeling overwhelmed and lost, not knowing what to do, where to turn, or where to go next.

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Machi was a breast cancer survivor for more than 30 years, having been diagnosed with breast cancer twice, first in her late twenties and again in her early thirties. She underwent two mastectomies, choosing not to have reconstructive surgery and continued to live as a testament to the strength and resilience of a cancer survivor.

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Going from healthy to hospitalised is not something you expect. It can happen to anyone. And the last thing on your mind is how you will pay for the bills.

 

Since Then…

 

From this heartbreaking experience came a deep yearning: to share my story, to raise awareness about the signs and symptoms of cancer and to ensure others never walk this journey alone.

 

I realised firsthand how difficult the path is, both for patients and their families. This inspired the creation of the Machi Filotimo Cancer Project, a non-profit organisation dedicated to:

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• Raising awareness about cancer and the importance of early detection;

• Partnering with medical experts and institutions to strengthen cancer navigation and care;

• Educating communities through social media and events.

 

Why We Exist

 

In South Africa, 1 in 4 people is affected by cancer. This staggering statistic highlights not only the prevalence of the disease, but also the importance of community, support and access to care.

 

True to the saying, “cancer can be beaten”, our work emphasises that while medical treatment is costly, emotional, social and practical support can make the journey less daunting. With the help of individuals, businesses and partners, we are determined to change lives.

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“We will continue to do what we do… in the spirit of Filotimo.”

 

Evy Michalopoulos

Founder & CEO