Sally Agallo celebrates her 56th birthday today, a milestone marked by courage, resilience, and determination. She has lived with HIV since 1999 and later faced another major challenge—cancer.
“I got married young and moved to Mombasa with my husband,” Sally shared in an interview with Citizen Digital.
However, her dream of a happy life soon took a painful turn. She suffered the heartbreaking loss of her first child just days after birth, followed by a pregnancy complication. As her health declined, she visited the hospital and was diagnosed with HIV—a moment that left her devastated.
“The news broke me. I even tried to take my own life,” she said.
Her marriage eventually ended under the weight of these challenges, but her sister stepped in and offered her the support she needed to carry on.
Sally moved back to Nairobi to start over. Just as life seemed to stabilize, she received another life-altering diagnosis: cervical cancer. She underwent treatment, but it affected her ability to have children.
A year later, she was diagnosed again—this time with rectal cancer—which led to further medical procedures and adjustments to her daily life.
Despite the setbacks, Sally chose not to give up. She turned her pain into purpose by founding an organization that offers support and hope to others living with chronic illnesses.
Her story is a powerful reminder that strength is born through adversity, and even the darkest days can lead to purpose and light.
