My name is Mr. John Kagwi from Nairobi Kenya. I am a Multiple Myeloma patient and I had Stem Cell Transplant  in India in 2023. I started having blood related problems in the year 2016 with bleeding from the nose which would lead to severe anemia with low platelets and neutrophils .I had to undergo nasal sphenopalatine artery ligation in three different surgeries with little success. I had numerous long hospitalizations between 2016 until June 2022 when I was finally diagnosed with the cancer.

After three months of chemotherapy in Kenya I decided to go to India to seek better treatment due to the challenges in Kenya.

In India they confirmed I had Multiple Myeloma which was advancing to stage III and I had to undergo 8 cycles of chemotherapy so that I can be prepared for the transplant. So I was required to stay in India  for 8 months. Luckily my response was good and  I did not finish the 8 cycles. I was booked for transplant on 27th March and on 30th March 2023 I underwent a successful transplant.

I was discharged from the SCT unit on 30th April after showing very good improvement  and I was permitted to go back to my country on 15th May 2023.

I was put on 24 months of post-transplant monitoring and on initial 6 months of heavy medication with Revlimid as my mainline chemotherapy and other drugs. I still visit my local oncologist on weekly basis for observation and management.
So far I am doing well and my blood parameters are back to normal apart from occasional low WBC, back pain and regular infections. I am very strong in body and in spirit now as I am able to do most tasks, I do not require any assistance.

I decided to become an advocate for cancer through my foundation ‘Six Bridges Foundation’ which I started this year. My long struggle with sickness has exposed me to the problems needy cancer patients undergo.
The purpose is to help needy and poor cancer patients in my country especially to pay insurance cover for them and to give them material support.
I want to live long to fight the ravage and devastation of cancer among the poor and very needy people in my country and to encourage others around the world too.