Sickle Cell in Africa
We have been working in Africa since 2008 especially in Nigeria where 1 in 4 of over 40 million people carry the sickle cell gene; over 250,000 sickle cell affected babies are born every year. There are so many families in Africa that have been affected by Sickle cell in one way or another, lives have been devastated by untimely deaths, families have been ripped apart, women have constantly been ostracised from their community and have been branded witches.
Our ambition
Young people are labelled ‘Sicklers’ which is demeaning and leads to low self-esteem and suicidal thoughts. These are just a few the difficulties children, young people and their families have to face everyday. Our ambition is to ensure that children and young people have a voice and governments of affected countries make a positive change in their lives.
Donate a medicine box
Medicines and hospital admissions are essentially the lifelines for children and young people living with this genetic blood disorder – Sickle cell anaemia, to keep well. They are easily overwhelmed by bacterial infections and need to have access to drugs that will build up their immunity. Click on the button to find out how you can help to donate these essential drugs.
Patient Parent Network
Sickle Cell in Africa Patient/Parent Network (SCAPPN) is a unique initiative that is being formed by us as a result of working for over 40 years in the UK and in Africa. As a Patient/Parent led charity, we recognised that tangible change will only happen when grassroots, community-based charities and non-governmental organisations across Africa come together with one voice.
Additional support
Many a times we overlook the impact that living with sickle-cell can have on our children. It is important that we ensure our children are able to express themselves and seek help when they are not able to cope. Many of them will feel sad or depressed and overwhelmed by going in and out of hospital. This is normal and has to be acknowledged.
Many young people and adults live in isolation and feel that they’re unable to share their experiences with family or friends hence building up a psychological pressure cooking pot that will explode at some point in one way or the other. Please seek help – call and speak with us about living with sickle cell today!