PHOTO (L to R): Arrey Echi and Nora Brown both have Sickle Cell Disease and are warriors.
On December 22, 2008, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution which recognized sickle cell disease as a public health problem and one of the world’s foremost genetic diseases. The resolution urge members to raise awareness of sickle cell on June 19, of every year at national and international level.
Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a group of inherited red blood cell disorders. Healthy red blood cells are round, and they move through small blood vessels to carry oxygen to all parts of the body. In someone who has SCD, the red blood cells become hard and sticky and look like a C-shaped farm tool called a “sickle”. The sickle cells die early, which causes a constant shortage of red blood cells.
Today which is June 19, sickle cell advocates like UK based heavyweight advocate Nora Brown Talks, Arrey Echi and a host of others creating an awareness on Sickle Cell through various platforms such as Emeli’s Smile Sickle Cell Foundation and Joy2Endure (founded by UK-based Sickle Cell warrior and advocate Nora Brown and Cameroon-based Sickle Cell warrior, blogger and advocate Arrey Echi respectively).
Knowing your genotype could save you from a lot especially before getting into any relationships. It is sad that so many don’t even know their genotype and seemingly don’t care.
A genotype is the part of the genetic makeup of a cell, and therefore of any individual, which determines one of its characteristics (phenotype). You bare the risk of facing gross consequences when you neglect this.
Join us today as we celebrate the ones who have stood the difficult times and are relentless in helping us get awareness. Share this to remind someone to find out what their genotype is that is if you already know yours. It is not an option!!
