HANOVER, Md.—The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, a national nonprofit membership organization that advocates for people affected by sickle cell, formed the Sickle Cell Disease C.A.R.E.S. Consortium, an initiative of pharmaceutical companies united to promote clinical trial participation and education. “We have an opportunity and a responsibility to change the perception of clinical trials…
By Ijeoma Udeozo BSc Economics & Obiageli Nnodu BMBCH, FWACP, Professor of Hematology & Blood Transfusion, Director, Centre of Excellence for Sickle Cell Disease Research and Training, University of Abuja, (CESRTA) Abuja, Nigeria. Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a major health concern in Nigeria and requires attention from all relevant stakeholders. A recent study was…
An august gathering of representatives of organizations occupying the Sickle Cell Disease/Inherited Blood Disorders space in Nigeria took place at the National Sickle Cell Centre, Idi Araba, Lagos on February 20 2023. The meeting, which held in-person and virtually was one of the many coalition-building meetings of the Global Action Network for Sickle Cell Disease…
At the age of five, a vibrantly healthy child became ill and weak, and her eyes turned yellowish. Doctors quickly diagnosed sickle cell anaemia – it was an open and shut case, even without a telling family history of SCD. There is, however, a grim family history – a sibling of the child passed on…
HANOVER, Md.—The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America will hold its 50th annual national convention virtually this year from Tuesday, Oct. 11, through Saturday, Oct. 15. The five-day multidisciplinary convention addressing sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait draws hundreds of health care professionals, patients, families, community-based organizations, leaders and advocates. The convention this year, “Joining…
HANOVER, Md.—The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America will participate in National Sickle Cell Awareness Month in September by holding a series of events and supporting the events of its more than 50 member organizations. National Sickle Cell Awareness Month was designated by Congress to focus attention on the need for research and treatment of…
Found with sickle cell anaemia at the age of two (Massey Street Children’s Hospital, Lagos Island) I remember having my first blood transfusion at the age of six. This was at the then Baptist Hospital Ogbomoso (now Bowen University Teaching Hospital). At that age and by the time I clocked 10, a gloomy interpretation of…
The West African phytoceutical known as sorghum bicolor (under the proprietary name of Jobelyn) was recently registered in the drug dictionary of the US National Cancer Institute (NCI). It is described as being rich in Polyphenols and phenolic acids with the potential for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulating and chemopreventive capabilities. This testimonial by a Nigerian medical…
Raolat Akinlade (popularly known as Dr. Rao Lee), 54 has two masters degrees in Health Promotion and Educational Technology/Instruction and a doctorate in Educational Leadership and Management. Dr. Rao Lee’s life experiences epitomize the ideals of NEVER GIVE UP DAY, celebrated August 18 of every year. Despite the ups and downs of SCD, despite many…
A star has fallen in Nigeria as the sun sets on ace Nollywood film-maker, Adewale Fanu, seven weeks after his 72nd birthday. He always remarked that both his parents passed away just after their 70th birthdays. Wale Fanu’s passing underlines a irony of a fact of life: that no branch – no leaf, no matter…
