To commemorate the 2024 World Sickle Cell Day marked on June 19 every year, the Sickle Cell Hope Alive Foundation (SCHAF) founded by Professor Adeyinka G. Falusi, will create awareness and bring hope to thousands of people living with sickle cell anaemia in Nigeria through engagements of youths in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Set to be marked under the theme of the World Sickle Cell Day 2024, “Hope Through Progress: Advancing Global Sickle Cell Care & Treatment” the SCHAF’s Programme Manager, Emmanuel O. Ogunwole said “As you may know, the United Nations has declared June 19 as World Sickle Cell Day to raise awareness and promote better understanding, treatment, and support for individuals affected by SCD.”

“Given that Nigeria bears the highest burden of this disease globally, it is crucial for us to amplify our efforts,” he added.

The SCHAF outreach is organised to emphasise that sickle cell disease is not a death sentence, with plans to bring hope to patients through several public events such as a health awareness organization will have a morning walk from Apex Event Centre in Yidi-Agodi area of Ibadan, to the premises of NTA, and then on to UCH.

Sickle cell is a condition where the red blood cells are abnormally shaped like a sickle. People with the disease suffer frequent blood shortage (anaemia), joint pains, sensitivity to extreme weather, yellowish eyes, and generally look frail.

According to SCHAF, more than 350,000 people in Nigeria – the highest number in the world – suffer from sickle cell anaemia. With public sensitization programmes from the government and private sector organizations like that of SCHAF, sickle cell victims can be equipped with adequate knowledge on accessing quality care and treatment within their vicinity.

SCHAF is located at Bodija area of Ibadan with a mandate to “reduce the burden of sickle cell disease in Nigeria through awareness, care, and research.”