Columns

August 5, 2020August 3, 2020

So, What Is Sickle Cell Disease Again?

Columns, Her Sickled Journey – a Column by Tito Oye

In the U.K., approximately 15,000 people have sickle cell disorder and approximately 240,000 have the sickle cell trait. Despite these high numbers, I only meet someone who knows about sickle ... Read more

July 29, 2020July 27, 2020

How Lockdown Has Affected My Weight

Columns, Her Sickled Journey – a Column by Tito Oye

During this period I have heard a lot of people complain about unwanted weight gain, but it is the opposite in my case. I have been losing a lot ... Read more

July 22, 2020July 23, 2020

A Message to Parents Expecting a Child With Sickle Cell

Columns, Her Sickled Journey – a Column by Tito Oye

I recently spoke to a mother who gave birth to a child with sickle cell. The diagnosis was not expected at all. The news completely rocked her world. That’s ... Read more

July 17, 2020July 15, 2020

Staying at Home Has Helped Me Follow a Healthier Routine

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

Living in lockdown the past few months has been quite an experience. If you had asked me before the pandemic if I could stay indoors for 12 weeks and ... Read more

July 15, 2020July 13, 2020

Avoid Using the Internet to Self-diagnose

Columns, Her Sickled Journey – a Column by Tito Oye

The internet has been a blessing in many of our lives. It is an extremely handy tool, and a quick Google search can turn any of us into a ... Read more

July 8, 2020July 6, 2020

Heat Waves Can Exacerbate My Sickle Cell Symptoms

Columns, Her Sickled Journey – a Column by Tito Oye

We recently experienced a heat wave here in the U.K., where temperatures climbed as high as 32 C (89.6 F). Those of you from hotter parts of the world ... Read more

July 1, 2020June 29, 2020

Finding My ‘New Normal’ as Lockdown Restrictions Ease

Columns, Her Sickled Journey – a Column by Tito Oye

It has started … the period I have been uncertain about. Restrictions are starting to ease. I have been shielding for over three months, during which my employer placed ... Read more

June 24, 2020June 22, 2020

On World Blood Donor Day, I Thanked Blood Donors Everywhere

Columns, Her Sickled Journey – a Column by Tito Oye

We celebrated World Blood Donor Day on June 14. It reminded me that blood donors are a heavily relied upon and greatly anonymous source of support all over the ... Read more

June 19, 2020June 17, 2020

Here Are Ways to Help Friends with Sickle Cell Disease

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

Whenever I meet new people and tell them I have sickle cell disease (and explain what it is), they often ask how they can help. June 19 is World ... Read more

June 17, 2020June 15, 2020

Let’s Celebrate World Sickle Cell Day by Focusing on Our Achievements

Columns, Her Sickled Journey – a Column by Tito Oye

June 19 is World Sickle Cell Day, and I have been reflecting a lot on my life with sickle cell. From a young age, I was always encouraged to ... Read more