From Personal Loss To Global Purpose

The loss of my mother changed everything. She had diabetes, a manageable condition, but it went undiagnosed for too long. By the time we discovered the truth, her organs were already failing. Watching her suffer, knowing it could have been managed with earlier detection, was heartbreaking. But it also opened my eyes to a silent crisis affecting millions: people dying not because there’s no cure, but because they didn’t know in time. That pain became purpose. As a public health professional specializing in clinical research and trials, I had worked with leading institutions like Emory University School of Medicine and Wellstar Health System. I had seen the data.

I had managed programs. But nothing prepared me for the personal devastation of losing someone I loved to a manageable disease. I knew this wasn’t just my story. It was the story of countless families in Uganda, across Africa, and even in the U.S., where underserved communities and uninsured families face the same barriers: lack of awareness, limited access, and delayed care. That’s why I founded the Nyina Foundation in honor of my mother, whose name we called Nyina, meaning “mother to the nation.” She embodied care, resilience, and sacrifice. Today, her legacy lives on in every life we touch.

We started small with donated devices and local health seminars, but we’ve grown into a mission-driven organization working to bridge the gap between awareness and access. Through free screenings, community education, and clinical research, we empower people to take control of their health before crisis strikes. Because no one should have to wait until it’s too late. Because prevention is power. Because knowledge is a lifeline. This is more than a foundation. It’s a promise. It’s personal. It’s Nyina.