Its President, Mrs Modupe Popoola, made the call during an awareness walk organised by the club to commemorate the 2026 World Sickle Cell Day on Friday in Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Day is commemorated annually on June 19 to increase the public’s knowledge and understanding of sickle cell disease and the challenges experienced by patients and their families and caregivers.
Popoola underscored the need for government, philanthropists and well meaning Nigerians to support sickle cell management to alleviate the financial burden on families/caregivers.
According to her, the first and second set of the transplant have been successfully carried out, waiting for the next phase likely to take place in less than three months.
“With the transplant programme, sickle cell disorder is curable, and the patient will live a normal life. But the financial implications are huge, as it costs over N80 million to do a bone marrow transplant.
“A lot of families and caregivers want to access the service, but to raise the money is not easy.
“Oftentimes, families and patients during clinics find it difficult to pay for recommended tests and medications.
“Hence, the need for the government, organisations and well meaning Nigerians to donate and further support sickle cell care, because there are some people already on ground who support the foundation.
“However, for a successful transplant; the Foundation, LUTH and the family have vital roles to play,” Popoola said.
On the impacts of the awareness walk so far, Popoola said it had greatly impacted lives of sickle cell warriors, caregivers, governments and the society at large.
According to her, the awareness has not only bridged the stigmatisation gaps, but has also improved workforce/societal inclusion of sickle cell persons, as the government and organisations now offer them increased job opportunities compared to years back.
Speaking, a Genetic Counselor, SCFN, Mrs Esther Adesemoye, said that diet and lifestyle played vital role in the management of sickle cell disorder.
In her words of encouragement, Adesemoye reiterated that the disease was curable given the transplant approach and other available genetics treatment interventions.
She urged sickle cell persons to prioritise healthy lifestyles, while maintaining balance diet, as they were key to survival.
“Sickle cell is a curable disease unlike other genetic disorder; it is not a dead sentence.
“To amplify longevity of patients, it is advisable to be lifestyle conscious. Take a lot of water at all times, because it helps the blood cells to function optimal.
“Avoid exposure to rain/cold and stress, and clothe properly.
“To avert frequent hospital admission and regular blood transfusion, ensure the patient doesn’t always come down with malaria,” Adesemoye said.
A parent to a sickle cell child, Mrs Bisiola Kehinde, decried the financial burden of caring for her daughter.
According to her, the family will be pleased to go for the transplant care, identifying the financial requirements as a major challenge.
“If the government, individuals or organisations can assist us to offset financial implications, it will be a huge relief to enable us access the sickle cell transplant,” she said. (NAN)www.nannews.ng
Edited by Vivian Ihechu