Life & Work

Cancer survivor gives back to society in a special way

shaira

Shaira Adamali, Founder Faraja Cancer Support Trust. Photo/Diana Ngila

A little over 10 years ago, Shaira was diagnosed with breast cancer. She sought for treatment abroad, and lucky for her, the doctors were able to curb it’s spread through a mastectomy. She joins the ranks of cancer survivors who are giving back to fight the disease. She decided to start the Faraja Trust.

This month, Faraja Trust turns three. There is a lot to celebrate, but also a lot more to do. The Trust offers cancer patients and their carers information, advice, counselling and complementary therapies in order to make their cancer journey bearable.

They work under the Cancer Trust. So far, over 1,000 cancer patients have passed through their facility.

We meet in the boardroom at their offices along Shivachi Road, Parklands. The Cancer Trust is a sanitised building with plants, windows, open spaces and large windows. One would be forgiven for mistaking it for a spa.

I like this place. It’s got good energy.

Thanks. Our objective here is to make cancer more bearable. Patients come here for yoga, massages and advice on nutrition…basic support. While here, our aim is to give them space to forget about their problems.

If I may ask about your breast cancer experience. Unless it’s a topic you would rather not…

No, it’s fine.

How was the discovery and the feeling of knowing that you might have had to do a mastectomy?

Mine was an early discovery, I was 47 at the time but I was lucky it wasn’t an aggressive cancer. Younger women in their 30s have more aggressive breast cancer than older women.

I was lucky that I had the finances to go to the UK for treatment, but also at that time, there wasn’t an advanced cancer treatment. But with support from friends and family, it was more bearable.

It’s been 10 years since your surgery. What marks post-cancer life; relief, fear, angst, prayer?

Many things, but, of course, you try to live as normally as you can. And, of course, there’s always that fear of a recurrence. So sometimes when I get a small headache, I might sometimes wonder if it’s the cancer coming back (laughs).

What adjustments did you have to make in your life after the cancer episode?

Well, I had been at Pricewaterhouse Coopers for 31 years, after the medical scare, I decided to quit. I think being ill and recovering gave way to other pursuits that didn’t involve what I was doing professionally.

Starting this organisation has been one of the most fulfilling projects thus far. I’m required to go for regular check-ups, but I haven’t because the exposure to radiation is something I try to minimise.

If you could turn back the clock, what would you do differently in your life? 

I would find more time to do the things that I enjoy and also learn how to cope with stress better.

How do you reward yourself after giving back so much?

(Weary smile) I’m not into buying shoes, jewellery and fashion and what not. (Pause) I like spas and to travel, though. It’s one of the things I reward myself with. I have walked the Himalayas three times; I have walked it from the side of Nepal, Tibet and recently with my sister and her kids through the Indian side.

I’m into such travels. I have done Mt Kenya and Kilimanjaro. I like the planning that goes into climbing mountains and the exercise regime that you have to adhere to in order to do it.

What is in your bucket list?

I’d like to travel more, for sure. I have been to all the continents except South America, so I’d like to go down there soon. Since I love walking, I think South America with its amazing nature would be fulfilling.

Secondly, I’d like to do a month of yoga in Asia, one of those studious yoga destinations. Lastly, I want to learn an Indian language, Urdu to be specific. It’s spoken in the Northern part of India, near Pakistan.

I speak Gujarati but this is one language I’d love to learn. And, of course, I’d love to take Faraja to the next level, I want to open centres in Kisumu and also at Kenyatta National Hospital.

What do you do in your free time?

I love cooking. I’m fortunate that I have four grandchildren, two who live here in the country. It brings me joy to spend time with them.

What does your husband do?

He’s a radiologist, and a lecturer at Kenyatta’s radiology department.

Do you once in a while go out to dinner or lunch and what are your favourite places to eat in Nairobi?

It’s expensive to eat out in Nairobi. I think there is a discrepancy between the price, service and quality of food served in most restaurants. There is an inconsistency. But whenever I want to bite something, I will go to Zen Garden, or Mediterraneo Restaurant.

What book have you read that transformed your life, and how?

‘‘The Prophet’’ by Khalil Gibran. This is a book for anyone willing to step outside of the very structured and hectic pace of life that most of the world find itself in.

It is an intuitive and insightful explanation of gut feelings we all have about the way life can be lived and should be lived.

I like what he says on love: “When love beckons to you, follow him, though his ways are hard and steep. And when his wings enfold you, yield to him, Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you.

And when he speaks to you believe in him, though his voice may shatter your dreams, as the north wind lays waste the garden.”