Sickle Cell Support Network Calabar, is a group made up of people living with Sickle Cell Disorder, their care givers, medical personnel and other well wishers. The support group was established with the intent of providing succour and hope to people living with Sickle Cell Disorder while raising awareness on the Disorder, of which the network has endeavoured to live up to since its inception.
The activities of the network to mark the year\’s World sickle cell day began on the 16th of June with visits by delegates to different media houses with the aim of fostering the already healthy partnership between the network and the media in respect to enlightenment and information dissemination.
In her words, the current president of the support network, Dr. Theresa Isamoh, explained the reason for the visit and the activities undertaken in the space of four days thus ;
June 19th every year is celebrated world over as World Sickle Cell Day and the support network was not left in this year\’s celebration
To mark this year\’s event, the network carefully mapped out a 3-day program aimed at creating awareness on Sickle Cell Disorder and driving positive change.
The Support Network was at the Hit FM radio station and Nigerian Television Authority ( NTA – CALABAR), our media partners to discuss WSCD celebration. The group aimed at fostering the already existing relationship it has with the media house and talk about ways it could improve on it.
On the 17th of June, the Network embarked on sensitization campaigns to some schools in Calabar metropolis. Here, the Support Network enlightened the young souls about sickle cell and urged them to know their genotype early enough. In a child and teen friendly way, the representative of the Network educated the students on the little things that could be done for those with sickle cell. This was aimed at giving them an early knowledge of what sickle cell entails.
On the 18th of June, the group had an an award/fundraising event to mark off the year\’s World Sickle Cell Day in an exciting and heartwarming way. Among the activities on the 18th, we recognized some deserving care givers in acknowledgment of their selfless care to warriors.
A representative of the State ministry of health, gave an assurance that warriors would be enrolled under the Cross River State Health Insurance Scheme. This has been one burning desire of this Network and we hope to see it come to fruition.
Fundraising was done to further assist in enrolling members under the National Health Insurance Scheme.
A representative of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria – Cross River State Chapter, Dr Chikezie Okwesilize gave a detailed lecture on the Pharmacological and non-Pharmacological approach to management of sickle cell crisis. Dr. Okwesilize spoke on how to prevent drug addiction, placing emphasis on self care and not self medication.
The team lead of Okares Sickle Cell Foundation, Barr. Onor Tawo, who is also a warrior gave a talk on the need for warriors to STAND UP and SPEAK OUT. This she said was aimed at making sickle cell popular at the grass root level.\”
Routine drugs were donated to the Network by the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria -CRS.
Warriors also showcased their skills and handwork to re-emphasize that living with sickle cell disorder is NOT a limitation to what they can do and achieve.
Activities were rounded off on Sunday, 19th of June being the World Sickle Cell Day with sensitization campaign to churches in Bayside community, Calabar South LGA of Cross River State.