Category: Features
3 Things Billy Garrett Jr does to have a better lifestyle with sickle cell
Written by Nnenna Kumenda Tip 1: Diet Now we know how hard it can be to change up your diet especially when you’re comfortable snacking and eating whatever you like, but sometimes change is good. We’re not saying have an athlete’s diet which is strict, we’re just saying what about putting that Pepsi down and…
Sunday James Shares His Experience with Receiving Blood Donations
Written by: Nnenna Kumenda Sunday James talks about how important donating blood is for the sickle cell community and how blood transfusions have been saving his life since he was two years old. To those living with sickle cell disease we know how hard it is to find blood donors, especially with those who develop…
Ramon Reed Biography
A native of Charlotte, North Carolina, Reed began acting at the age of five in community plays with Porch Productions, Inc and through his school and church. In 2015, his starring role as Donkey in a North Carolina Children’s Theater summer camp production of “Shrek Jr.” sparked a more serious desire and love for acting.…
Sickle Cell Disease and Mental Health
Written by: Halimat Olaniyan Jemela Williams discusses how sickle cell affects her more than just physically. She discusses the impact of mental health as someone living with sickle cell disease, and how she manages its complications. To those living with sickle cell disease, we know that our pain is very real, despite whether the rest…
Being a Mom with Sickle Cell Disease
Written by: Halimat Olaniyan Versetta Brown discusses family planning, pregnancy, and parenting while living with sickle cell disease type SS. Versetta grew up terrified of the idea of having children because of what she knew about how pregnancy could negatively affect her sickle cell disease. Initially, it kept her from pursuing family planning any further.…
Chinonso Aladi: Fashion Designer and Owner of Nonso Aladi
By: Halimat Olaniyan Chinonso Alasi was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria. She moved to America 10 years ago and pursued a degree in fashion and design. She started making custom pieces and then decided to take on her company full-time in 2020. She’s been running her own high fashion brand full-time for the past…
Fertility and Reproductive Health In Sickle Cell Disease Feat. Teonna Woolford
By: Halimat Olaniyan Watch interview of Teonna Woolford, Co-founder of SC RED >> This month we’re celebrating Women’s History Month by featuring sickle cell warrior, fierce advocate, and reproductive health trailblazer, Teonna Woolford. Teonna is also the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of SC RED, or the Sickle Cell Reproductive Health Education Directive. At…
Honoring Pat Corley, RN for Black History Month
This Black History Month SC101 is celebrating leaders within the sickle cell community who have become vital voices for the progression of sickle cell. This leads us to adult sickle cell nurse advocate Pat L. Corley, RN. When you think of Pat Corley, think of the nurse you’d want by your bedside in hospital. That’s…
Honoring Jew-EL Darboné for Black History Month
Contributor: Halimat Olaniyan This Black History Month SC101 is celebrating trail blazers in sickle cell awareness. How better to celebrate our history than to honor the life of Jew-EL Darboné. You may know of her as an outstanding, unapologetic motivational speaker and co-founder of #BoldLipsforSickleCell, but she was so much more. Bold Lips for Sickle…
Curing Sickle Cell Disease Through Bone Marrow Transplant
“Transplant day, it was mixed emotions, I was very tired very weak, but I was elated to see that bone marrow come in my room. The first thing I noticed was that my eyes were white. I had never seen my eyes white ever.” Spencer received a bone marrow transplant to treat sickle cell disease…
Men’s Health Spotlight Feat. Clayton Andrews
We had the wonderful opportunity to meet and speak with Mr. Clayton Andrews, a sickle cell warrior with the HbSS genotype, a sickle cell disease advocate, and a proud girl dad who is the father of three girls biologically and eight in total. Originally from Savannah, GA, he currently resides in Atlanta with his fiancée,…
Celebrating International Women’s Day Feat. Arrey-Echi Agbor-Ndakaw
Monday, March 8 marked International Women’s Day. Annually celebrated, the day commemorates the achievements of women around the world. This year’s theme, #ChoosetoChallenge, highlighted those who have confronted gender inequalities and the status quo. Those who have bravely conquered stigma and survived many uphill battles. It is no surprise then that our 2019 SCAY International…