Columns

January 20, 2021January 18, 2021

I Can Still Be Productive During a Sickle Cell Crisis

Columns, Her Sickled Journey – a Column by Tito Oye

I’m writing this column during a sickle cell disease crisis. I have not had one this bad in a while, so I’ve been feeling pretty low. I recently explained ... Read more

January 8, 2021January 5, 2021

2020 Was Challenging, but I’m Grateful for My Progress

Columns, Shaniqua’s Sickle Chronicles – a Column by Mary Shaniqua

Just like that, 2020 is over. What a year! I do not think 2020 turned out as expected or planned for anybody at all. When the year started, I ... Read more

December 18, 2020December 16, 2020

Tips for Staying Healthy This Holiday Season

Columns, Shaniqua’s Sickle Chronicles – a Column by Mary Shaniqua

Here’s a little fun fact about me: Christmas is my second favorite time of year after August, which I like because it’s one of the hottest months here in ... Read more

December 2, 2020November 30, 2020

The Lessons I’ve Learned as a Columnist

Columns, Her Sickled Journey – a Column by Tito Oye

I have been writing for BioNews, the publisher of Sickle Cell Disease News, for over a year now. This experience has been amazing, to say the least. When I ... Read more

November 25, 2020November 25, 2020

We Go Through Life at Our Own Pace

Columns, Her Sickled Journey – a Column by Tito Oye

I hate when sickle cell disease gets in the way of life, although I feel its effects 24/7. There is no escaping the symptoms, such as fatigue and chronic ... Read more

November 20, 2020November 18, 2020

Switching Treatments Helped to Reduce My Iron Overload

Columns, Shaniqua’s Sickle Chronicles – a Column by Mary Shaniqua

Iron overload is a side effect that some sickle cell patients suffer from as a result of blood transfusion programs being used as long-term treatment plans. Back in September, ... Read more

November 18, 2020November 16, 2020

Why I Will Be Getting the COVID-19 Vaccine

Columns, Her Sickled Journey – a Column by Tito Oye

On Nov. 9, Pfizer and BioNTech announced that their COVID-19 vaccine was found to be more than 90% effective in preventing people from contracting the novel coronavirus. On Nov. 16, ... Read more

November 11, 2020November 9, 2020

‘Disabled’ Is Not a Bad Word

Columns, Her Sickled Journey – a Column by Tito Oye

“Disabled” is not a pejorative, but it definitely felt like one when I was growing up. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines disability as “any condition ... Read more

November 6, 2020November 4, 2020

What Does It Mean to Be Successful?

Columns, Shaniqua’s Sickle Chronicles – a Column by Mary Shaniqua

Recently, I was playing a question-and-answer game with my partner, and one question that came up was, “What message would you like to tell your younger self?” My answer ... Read more

November 4, 2020November 2, 2020

Preparing for Lockdown 2.0

Columns, Her Sickled Journey – a Column by Tito Oye

COVID-19 cases are increasing again here in the U.K., and government officials can no longer prioritize improving the economy over protecting people’s health. Instead, they must acknowledge the toll ... Read more