Andromachi, lovingly known as Machi, was born in Athens on 7 April 1949. She was just 68 years old when she passed away from Stage 4 Ovarian Cancer, only six weeks after being diagnosed.

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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.

 

She was a devoted Wife, Mother, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother, a true pillar of strength, resilience, and love. To me, she was not only my mother but also my greatest role model. I don’t think I have ever known someone so hardworking, so selfless and so deeply loved. She never gave up, no matter how difficult life became.

 

In 1972, she immigrated from Greece to South Africa with my father. She entered a country where she didn’t know the language, had no family support and faced the challenge of starting life anew. Yet, through determination and faith, she built a home and a life for her family in Johannesburg. For 46 years, she supported my father, stood by her children and worked tirelessly to provide and protect. Whether in business ventures, successful or not, she never wavered. She fought for us, for our survival and for our future.

 

Her bravery defined her. Even in her final days, she never showed her pain. Instead, she kept her smile and reassured me with words I will never forget:

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“Evy, don’t stress”

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Those were her last real words to me, a reflection of her courage and love, right to the end.

 

Her name itself carried strength. Andromachi is an ancient Greek name, derived from “andros” meaning “of a man” and “machi” meaning “battle.” It translates to “the battle of a man.” True to her name, my mother fought every battle life placed before her, with dignity and strength.

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That experience, our family’s “six weeks to live” ...... changed me forever. It left me with a deep yearning to tell our story and to raise awareness about the signs and symptoms of cancer.

 

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.

 

Awareness of cancer is my goal.

 

With love and purpose,

Evy Michalopoulos

Founder & CEO