Celebrating DORIS MAYOLI a cancer survivor and the founder of Twakutukuza Trust. By WANGECI WANYEKI.
In September 2005, after being diagnosed with Stage IIIB cancer, Doris Mayoli, Founder of Twakutukuza Trust, and her family went through the motions – shock, denial, acceptance, searching for information, and getting treatment. After four rounds of chemotherapy, Doris had a lumpectomy to remove the tumor as well as some diseased lymph nodes in her armpit. She underwent five more sessions of chemo, 35 days of radiotherapy and 5
years of Tamoxifen. The first obvious sign of the treatment was hair loss. Soon after, my nails, the palms of my hands, and the soles of my feet turned black.’ Doris narrates.
My skin tone also darkened during chemotherapy. Towards the end of the radiotherapy treatment, the skin around my scar (the site of the treatment) burned and blistered. I had to keep the skin moisturized and used a burn ointment to treat the burns. Sometimes my scars feel tight and I have to do a bit of stretching and massaging to keep the skin supple,’ she adds. Doris is now a proper skincare regime champion. ‘I am keen on moisturizing my entire body and using protective sunscreen. I drink a lot of water daily and I try to eat healthy by including greens and fruit in every meal.’Fourteen years later, Doris has turned her painful experience into purpose. Through Twakutukuza Trust which she founded, she provides emotional, physical, and financial support to people who are regime champions. ‘I am keen on moisturizing my entire body and using protective sunscreen.
I drink a lot of water daily and I try to eat healthy by including greens and fruit in every meal.’ Fourteen years later, Doris has turned her painful experience into purpose. Through Twakutukuza Trust which she founded, she provides emotional, physical, and financial support to people who have been diagnosed with cancer. ‘We look for ways to make their journey easier through counseling, demystifying doctor reports, home or hospital visits, and organizing events to celebrate them.
Through the Twakutukuza Concerts, we raise funds that we contribute towards the treatment of those who cannot afford it.
