Sally’s story is that of courage and resilience. From losing her two babies to battling HIV and trying to drown herself to death in the Indian Ocean, and later being diagnosed with cervical and colon cancers. All these painful experiences led her to depression and she had to battle suicidal thoughts as well. Her life changed completely.

“God saved my life so that I can save his people, I tell my story to raise awareness and encourage those living with these conditions to speak up”Sally Agallo

In 1999, Sally lost her first baby who only lived for two months. She fell pregnant again almost immediately but unfortunately had a miscarriage while 7 months pregnant with her son who died shortly after the incident. The losses were not taken lightly by her in-laws who accused her of having sacrificed her babies. Later on, Sally got diagnosed with HIV and since there were no proper treatment or antiretrovirals (ARVs) for the disease, she had no hopes of ever living again. While going through these harrowing experiences, her husband had no sympathy, instead, he turned cruel towards her to a point where Sally decided to end her life. She decided to throw herself into the depths of the Indian Ocean. Luckily, she miraculously survived, which she reckons was a supernatural intervention. God saved her, she says.

After a series of interrogations and psychiatric analysis, Sally was ferried to a hospital in Nairobi by her family. Throughout this period, her health had significantly deteriorated. While at the hospital, Sally attests to witnessing people dying including those she had shared beds with. Despite all these, a deep reassuring voice kept reminding her about the bigger divine purpose that lay ahead. This gave her hope to move on. Reluctantly, she reaffirmed herself as the voice of the voiceless. She stepped out of her pain and began raising awareness of HIV/AIDs and encouraging those living with the condition to take prescribed remedies such as ARVs since they were working for her. Due to her passion and commitment to serving others, Sally secured a job with a local nonprofit organization.

A few years later after random screening at her workplace, Sally was diagnosed with cervical cancer that was at stage II. She doesn’t recall having any signs or symptoms or even experiencing any pain that would suggest she had cancer.

“My advice to women is that they should not wait for pain for them to get checked, personally I had no signs, symptoms or pain, but I was diagnosed with cervical cancer stage II”Sally Agallo speaking about her cervical cancer diagnosis

As she underwent treatment that resulted in the loss of her uterus, cervix, and ovary, Sally could not comprehend the thoughts of her not being able to give birth, dealing with the stigma from society, and the unbearable pressure from her husband and her in-laws. This escalated her depression pushing her into constant dependence on antidepressants. Suicidal thoughts couldn’t leave her.

It is said that when it rains it pours. A few years later, Sally was diagnosed with colon cancer that led to surgical removal of her colon, rectum and anus. This meant that her passage of waste was completely disfigured and she was introduced to colostomy bags (stoma bags). The hospital corridors became her permanent place since she had to learn how to cope with her new life with colostomy bags. After her persistent push, she was introduced to other patients who had undergone the same surgery and were living with the bags. This led to the formation of a support group to give hope, support, and encouragement to each other. The group was later registered as Stoma World Kenya, which has over 300 members throughout the country.

How many bags does one need for the day?

According to Sally, the number of bags one needs often depends on how much one eats. No wonder most colorectal cancer survivors end up starving themselves to death because they don’t want to go through the agony of changing the stoma bags. Additionally, a single bag costs between 500 – 1,000 shillings, and most survivors cannot afford it since on average one would need at least two bags per day.

How do you perceive life?

“First and foremost, I believe God spared my life for his purpose. Therefore, my perspective of life is always positive” Says Sally.

Despite the many challenges that she has gone through and still goes through, Sally is full of positive energy. She is even quick to point out that she’s a hiker and that in 2020 she climbed to the peak of Mt. Kenya. She proudly speaks of herself as being “The Voice of Survivors” at Being Africa.

In March 2023, Sally founded the Kenya Ostomy Association with over 220 members. The association was informed by her realization of the multitudes needing ostomy care.

“I receive phone calls daily from people looking for or requiring support. I therefore decided to form an association to make it easier for people looking for such support”Sally Founder/ Director, Kenya Ostomy Association

Parting shots

Sally hopes for a day when quality colostomy bags will be available in all government healthcare facilities in all counties; where proper support is given to those diagnosed with cancer and other chronic conditions; where there will be no stigma to those using the bags, those diagnosed with other chronic conditions as well as those living with HIV/ AIDs; where caregivers will also have proper support systems; where patients will not be dependent on donations to get stoma bags but the government will take full responsibility of providing the bags and even classify people using stoma bags as people living with disabilities; and where healthcare will be easily affordable and healthcare providers will not charge patients exorbitantly.

Sally is truly a warrior for patients’ rights. And this is Her Reason For Being