The year 2020 was that life-changing for the Dower family.

Rhian and her husband Ben firstly welcomed their son Wilhelm into the world, giving three-year-old daughter Francheska a baby brother to dote over.

Just five months later the 27-year-old mum was faced with a diagnoses she never saw coming.

"I became sick at the start of November," she said.

"After a couple of trips into emergency, an ambulance call and fainting at my GP, I finally had an MRI.

"It showed that I had lesions on my brain which were consistent with an MS (multiple sclerosis) diagnosis.

"I had another MRI on my spine and that confirmed I had MS.

"I had a really bad tummy bug and just thought I had food poisoning or really bad vertigo.

"I just kept thinking I was going to get better."

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease impacting the central nervous system.

Symptoms range from impaired coordination, vision loss and fatigue.

Mrs Dower had no previous warning or known family history when it came to MS, and it wasn't until her diagnoses that she truly came to learn about the disease.

"It was really confronting," she said.

"I remember asking the doctor that gave us the diagnosis at the time, 'will this kill me?' Because that was probably the biggest thing on my mind.

"I have a husband a two young kids.

"She said, 'no, it won't kill you, but it may change the way your life may look into the future.'

"At that point it was very scary because we weren't sure if I was going to be mobile or not because I was unable to walk without assistance at the time.

"I was lucky to be able to stand up out of bed, so it was scary and daunting not knowing what the future was going to look like."

Mrs Dower has since returned to work after maternity leave and will have treatment every four weeks for her relapsing MS.

Each treatment will consist of an infusion in her arm lasting around one hour.

She now also has to be more aware of heat, with that often exacerbated her symptoms.

However, one of the biggest challenges the Dowers face is travelling to Melbourne to receive the needed care, with the NSW residents also battling the unpredictability of COVID-19 border closures.

"It's been tricky trying to get treatment locally, which is something that's been a bit frustrating," she said.

"I can only imagine anyone with an autoimmune disease is really frustrated.

"My appointments have so far just been on the phone with my neurologist in Melbourne."

Sport has always been a major part of the Dowers' lives.

Ben, who hails from Mitta, has played at both the Mitta and Jindera Football clubs, as well as the Albury Cricket Club.

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Rhian, a Jindera local, grew up playing netball for the Bulldogs.

Both are set to run out on the field and court for Jindera this season.

"I didn't think I'd get to play, but hopefully I'll be able to have a run around," Mrs Dower said.

After hearing the hardships the family was facing, all three sports clubs have united for an MS Awareness Cricket Day this month.

Albury Cricket Club, Mitta Football Club and Jindera Football Club will play off for the Clock Tower Cup on February 28 at Albury's Billson Park.

Jindera president Simon Cossor said all money raised would go to MS Australia.

"There was no backward step from the other clubs to get involved," he said.

"We just wanted to support the family.

"They're going to go through some tough times, so we just want to show our love."

The day is also about raising awareness.

"We weren't aware of MS until Rhi got it," Mr Cossor said.

"We're not trying to change the world, we just want to make people aware of MS in our community."

Mrs Dower said she's found some comfort in hearing from those in a similar position to her.

"Since being diagnosed we've had people reach out and say they either know someone or they know someone that knows someone with MS," she said.

"I've since been in touch with a few people to talk to them about what their symptoms look like and how they manage it and it's been really eye-opening and hopeful to see that people are still living their lives.

"It may look slightly different, but they're still doing really well.

"One day it would be nice to have our own little community get together when times are tough, particularity when we have heat waves.

"I know my fellow MS community would be feeling the pinch just like I did."

Mrs Dower also thanked everyone involved in the MS cricket day on behalf of her family.

"Our community has just been so lovely," she said.

The cricket day will consist of a six-a-side round robin, with an "old man's game" also to be contested by club members.

Longest hit and best catch will be up for grabs, while a jumping castle and barbecue will add to the family day out.

The clubs are also organising an auction for the day to help assist in raising funds for MS Australia.

Anyone with items they'd like to contribute to the auction can contact Michael on 0410691212.