Columns

February 5, 2021February 3, 2021

Here’s What I’ve Learned About Dating With Sickle Cell Disease

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

One thing people always ask me is how I navigate dating as a sickle cell patient. Since we’ve now entered the month of love, with Valentine’s Day right around the ... Read more

February 3, 2021February 1, 2021

Even During Sickle Cell Crises, I Avoid the Hospital Due to the Pandemic

Columns, Her Sickled Journey – a Column by Tito Oye

This week has been challenging for me. A brutal combination of cold weather and stress has left me facing back-to-back sickle cell crises, and there’s no telling when it might end. ... Read more

January 22, 2021January 20, 2021

Sickle Cell May Knock Me Down, but I Will Stand Back Up

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

In a previous column, I mentioned some of the good things that happened to me last year. This included a decrease in my iron levels and my subsequent switch from ... Read more

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 to ... 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 had ... 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 the ... 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 was ... 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 pain, ... 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, I ... Read more