Patricia Nakagolo: Strong Woman Diagnosed With Sickle Cell Anaemia At 4 Months, Lived To Become Banker

• Patricia Nakagolo Tenywa's story remains a remarkable testament to resilience, elegance, and triumph, even in the midst of her demise
• Diagnosed with sickle cell anaemia when she was just four months old, Nakagolo courageously fought the ailment for 27 years doted with pain
• Nevertheless, this did not deter her from excelling academically and ultimately realising her aspiration of becoming a respected banker

For many patients born with sickle cell anaemia, reaching the age of 20 is a milestone that comes with celebration.

It, therefore, follows that many of them hardly live long enough to achieve their childhood dreams.

Nakagolo the fighter

However, Patricia Nakagolo Tenywa was not only able to live to 27 but also achieve his dream of becoming a banker.

Daily Monitor reports that as much as Nakagolo celebrated her 27th birthday while confined to her bed, everyone was hopeful that her future was bright.

She did not hold any celebration, though, postponing that to a later date when she would be in better shape.

Nakagolo died on August 14, two weeks later.

Diagnosed with sickle cell anaemia

Her story began on July 22, 1996, at Mulago Hospital, where she was born of mother Angeline Naluyima Tenywa and father, Patrick Moses Tenywa.

Nakagolo's caregivers noticed that she suffered abnormal temperatures and frequent fainting spells during her early years.

When she was taken for a medical check-up, her condition was diagnosed as sickle cell anaemia.

That would be the start of a life dotted with pain and health challenges that kept her in and out of different hospitals.

Became a reputable banker

Naluyima says that she got used to being insulted about not taking her daughter for polio immunisation.

Despite the adversity, the vibrant young girl scaled through the academic ladder all the way to Makerere College for her O and A-levels.

She would soon graduate from Makerere University Business School with a degree in business administration.

Not long after graduation, Nakagolo secured a job at I&M Bank as a teller and was hailed for her exceptional integrity and honesty.

“She was someone to rely on, especially during emergencies like working overtime, demonstrating an assured sense of teamwork,” her former supervisor at I&M Bank Mariam Athieno praised.

Promoted at work

In March this year, she was promoted to Customer Service Officer, a role she only held for a day before being taken ill.

After weeks of hospitalisation, she was put into an induced coma as doctors hoped to give her body the opportunity to regain its strength.

Nakakogo, the fighter would never walk out of hospital alive again as she succumbed to respiratory failure, marking the end of a life full of struggle.

"The legacy she leaves behind is one of strength, grace, and an unwavering determination to embrace life to its fullest despite the adversities," her mother concluded.

Racheal Munene's story

Elsewhere, Racheal Njoki had a profound desire to experience motherhood, a dream that proved elusive as she faced the heartache of losing all 11 pregnancies she had.

When she lost her marriage due to the unfortunate development, she made the difficult decision to leave and seek treatment.

Tragically, fate had a different plan as Njoki passed away during surgery at Kenyatta National Hospital, dashing any possibility of her dreams of motherhood being fulfilled.