The Sickle Cell Hope Foundation (SCHAF) held a successful Gifting Day event on Wednesday, 4th December 2024 at the Apex Event Centre, Agodi Yidi Ibadan, Oyo State with over 300 Warriors and Caregivers in attendance.
The event was declared open with a prayer for Warriors, Caregivers, SCHAF Team by Ven. T. P. Falusi of the Chapel of The Resurrection, University of Ibadan. 
 Professor Adeyinka Falusi, the Founder, gave the welcome address on behalf of the Chairman, Prof Abiodun O. Falusi, and President of the Foundation Prof Oluwatoyin Nwafor, the representative of the Commissioner for Health, Dr Akinfemi Akinyode, The Chief of Staff representing the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Mr. Bayo Olaniyan, The Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN) represented by Dr. Temilade Adeyanju, Codix Pharma Ltd, represented by Mr Akintunde Akinwale and other dignitaries graced the occasion.   
The Gifting Day was aimed at bringing joy and empowerment to People Living with Sickle Cell Disease (PLWSCD) and their Caregivers. Several individuals were gifted and awarded while some shared testimonies during the event, highlighting the support and benefits they have received from the Foundation.
Professor Falusi, during her speech expressed her gratitude to the Board members, supporters, and staff of SCHAF for their continuous support of PLWSCD. She highlighted the Foundation's Mission to provide awareness for prevention, care, research, and advocacy for individuals affected by the disease.
According to her, since its establishment, SCHAF has been dedicated to raising awareness and supporting those living with sickle cell disease. The Foundation has worked tirelessly to combat the disease, provide comfort to its members, and educate the public about the dangers of stigmatization.  She said “Through advocacy, we have put in so much effort to educate our communities, influence policy and create a better understanding of the challenges faced by those living with sickle cell disease. Our outreach programs have reached thousands of individuals, families affected by the diseases and none of these would have been possible without the unwavering support of our donors, volunteers, partners, ambassadors, and the sickle cell community, each of who play a critical role in the progress we have made.
In an exclusive interview with CEOAFRICA, Prof Falusi listed some of the achievements in 2024. She revealed that they provided training to National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members every other weekend as part of their Community Development Service (CDS) activities. Through collaboration with NYSC, corps members are engaged in the Training of Trainers (ToT) in Secondary Schools in the 5 NYSC Zones of Oyo State. The Corp Members educate students about the importance of knowing their Genotype early, emphasizing preventive measures in making informed decisions later in life. 
Furthermore, SCHAF has expanded its care services by introducing a specific program tagged “From Waste to Wealth” for Adult Warriors & Mothers of Warriors, empowering them to generate income to better support themselves & their families. The Foundation also sourced insurance for Warriors through partnership with National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) as part payment as well as obtaining the support of Oyo State Health Insurance Agency (OYSHIA) with 800 free spaces for SCHAF Warrior members. Kudos! to Oyo State.
In terms of research, SCHAF has initiated a project focusing on a legume that may possibly help in pain management in PLWSCD. 
Advocacy efforts have also yielded some positive results, with SCHAF receiving donations from some notable individuals and organizations, such as Late Chief Adeseun Ogundoyin Foundation. Falusi urged the public to support the SCHAF in Vision to alleviate the burden of sickle cell disease in Nigeria.
In addition, the representative of the Commissioner for Health Oyo State, Dr. Akinyode urged the warriors to know that sickle cell is a manageable condition as long as proper measures are taken. He encouraged PLWSCD not to be disheartened, emphasizing that they can live normal lives and should regularly visit their local hospitals for checkups. They were urged to know their genotype early in life because prevention is better than cure.  
Warriors who have benefited from SCHAF over the years spoke glowingly on the support of SCHAF in terms of Medicines, Palliatives, Insurance, Counselling, Referrals for employment, Leg Ulcer Treatment, provision of Parent Handbooks for education on SCD and other laudable support over the years. The event was hugely successful and hosted in a comfortable and amiable environment. Lots of goodies in terms of provision of medicines, bags full of palliatives, cake cutting and several presentations were featured. 
The 2nd Edition of SCHAF Newsletter was presented revealing the series of activities of SCHAF for the year 2024. Competition dance and good music permeated the air with super dance steps from the seasoned journalist and Commissioner of Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade. It was a fantastic 4 hours of enjoyment and gifts galoure. 
The icing on the cake was the Fifty Thousand Naira (50k) donated to each of 60 Warriors, in fulfilment of the promise made on the World Sickle Cell Day (WSCD) 19th June 2024, by the Late Chief Ogundoyin Foundation.
The media was appreciated and urged to spread awareness and to help in bringing more donations in support of PLWSCD in the future.
In a Christmas message, the PLWSCD advocate Prof Adeyinka Falusi encouraged Warriors to remain hopeful, work hard, be prayerful and find happiness in celebrating Christmas and the New Year. Keeping hope alive, members of the public were urged to completely avoid stigmatisation of PLWSCD but instead cooperate with SCHAF to make life more meaningful & fulfilling for the Warriors. Merry Christmas to us all and a Happy New Year 2025 !!!