Redefining what sickle cell disease warriors look like
Growing up, health professionals and others often told me I didn’t look like a sickle cell patient. Their remarks left me wondering what was so unusual about my appearance and what I was…
The Sickle Cell Crusader — Oluwatosin Adesoye
Adesoye Oluwatosin is a practicing physician, a passionate and award-winning sickle cell advocate, and educator. She’s the founder of Sickle Cell Celebs, an online community for people living with sickle cell disease, and of Sicklelive Foundation, an NGO that caters to people living with sickle cell disease. She’s a Nigerian diagnosed with sickle cell anemia (HBSS) in 1987 when she was just 1 year old. She enjoys using her personal and medical experience to educate and create awareness about sickle cell disease and also help reduce health inequalities in its management. She’s called “The Sickle Cell Crusader.” Her column promises to be expository, educative, and compelling.
Featured Post
My 2-year evolution as a sickle cell disease columnist
As I look back on my two-year journey as a sickle cell disease columnist for Bionews, the parent company of this website, I’m struck by how much I’ve grown and evolved. In fact,…
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Preventing and managing a sickle cell pain crisis during Christmas
Christmas has grown beyond its origins as a Christian celebration of Jesus’ birth. It now unites communities and fosters a sense of togetherness across cultural backgrounds, religious beliefs, and geographical locations. The unique culture…
My journey to embrace sickle cell as an invisible and visible disability
Disability carries a strong stigma, and there’s widespread global ignorance about its meaning. While many associate disability solely with physical or mental…
Removing financial barriers to treatment for sickle cell disease
In the past, I would eagerly anticipate news of drug approvals for the management of sickle cell disease. The potential of new medications usually offered a glimmer of hope for sickle cell patients…
Coping with parental guilt in sickle cell disease management
Having a child with sickle cell disease can prompt many emotions for parents, particularly guilt. In this column, I’ll discuss some of the factors that contribute to this type of guilt and provide…
My personal and professional journey to doing sickle cell research
Sickle cell disease, as most of you readers know, is a group of genetic blood disorders characterized by chronic anemia, acute and chronic pain, organ damage, and a possibly reduced life expectancy.
How to be a better caregiver for sickle cell patients
Caregivers for people living with sickle cell disease provide physical, emotional, and sometimes financial support. They can be parents, siblings, spouses, friends, children, and extended family. I think healthcare professionals can be caregivers,…
Understanding what jaundice is and how it affects sickle cell patients
Jaundice is one of the most prevalent manifestations of sickle cell disease. Caused by an excess production of the compound bilirubin, jaundice results in a yellowish discoloration of the skin, mucus membranes,…
What health professionals shouldn’t say to sickle cell patients, Part 2
Second in a series. Read part one. Living with sickle cell disease presents a unique set of challenges. Unfortunately, some health professionals exacerbate these difficulties with insensitive and uninformed…
What health professionals shouldn’t say to sickle cell patients, Part 1
First in a series. Living with sickle cell disease can be incredibly challenging, especially when healthcare professionals make inappropriate and hurtful remarks. These comments contribute to poor pain management and health outcomes,…
Understanding the diverse nature of sickle cell pain crises
The nature of sickle cell pain crises is often misunderstood due to inadequate knowledge and research. This limited understanding extends even to healthcare professionals. It’s crucial to recognize that many common assumptions about…
The pros and cons of joining sickle cell support groups
Joining sickle cell support groups has proven invaluable for me in navigating the challenges of living with the disease. The benefits I’ve gotten from these groups have far outweighed the drawbacks I’ve…
