SAMI, Progeny and TheseGenes Bake 4 Cell to celebrate World Sickle Cell Day

Amidst all the celebration and programmes organised in honour of this year's World Sickle cell day, the Sickle Cell Advocacy and Management Initiative (SAMI), Progeny Foundation, These Genes organised a Charity Bake Sales event recently, tagged Bake 4 Cell.

Toyin Adesola and Doris Gbemiloye at the event

Held at Ikeja, the event took place in a rather fun filled and educative laden atmosphere all tilted towards making an effort to mark the June 19th declared World Sickle Cell day through awareness creation on the disorder and also to raise funds to provide for those living with Sickle Cell Disorder.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Director, (Genotype Foundation), Mrs Doris Gbemiloye, who noted that Sickle Cell Anaemia Disorder which has been defined by World Health Organization (WHO) as a “public health problem”, is a hereditary disorder that affects the offspring of parents who both have the S gene or Sickle Cell trait (AS). “Nigeria has the highest number of people in the world living with the disorder, yet ignorance, poverty and adequate health policies in sickle cell are its bane.” She said.

Executive Director, SAMI, Ms Toyin Adesola, while sharing her experience as someone who has been living with SCD for over 40years, said: 'My experience has been challenging, it has been a rough ride but with determination, being informed and faith I have been able to succeed despite the challenge.'

Dance Troupe performing at the event

Thus she advises people not to shy away from the fact that they have sickle cell. In her words she said, “Be informed, talk about it more, learn to understand your body and take your meds, believe in yourself and have faith.  To parents encourage your child, let them feel confident despite the fact they have SCD.” 

The event encompass an indoor picnic style event with lots of cakes and snacks donated by individuals and bakeries, day two of the event also experiences; talk shop on sickle cell etiquette from various peoples perception, parent, youths genotype as well as empowerment talk, distribution of free drugs and release of balloons into the sky in memorial of warriors passed. Having each name written on the balloons.

The event which was the first of its kind organised by Toyin Adesola, Buki Shogbuyi and Tosyn Bucknor also featured, free genotype testing done by the Genotype Foundations, Fashion exhibition, Video Games, Make up and a presentation by a Niemeth representative about the use of the drug Ciklavit in Sickle Cell Management.

The World Sickle Cell day was therefore set aside to bring to the fore challenges faced with the disorder through educating and awareness.