My name is Agnes Nsofwa a mother to young girl who was born with Sickle Cell Disease in Australia. I'm a Zambian by birth and moved to Australia almost 20 years ago. When my daughter was born I had no much understanding of sickle cell disease.

I later came to understand that Sickle Cell Disease is the most common genetic disorder in the world and it affects predominantly people from the Sub-Saharan Africa.

 

Fortunately for our family, our daughter received a bone marrow transplant, the only cure available for Sickle Cell Disease. 

I went on create an organisation called Australian Sickle Cell Advocacy Inc supporting people impacted by sickle cell disease in Australia. https://aussicklecelladvocacy.org/

 

A bone marrow transplant though is not easily accessible for all as one requires a match to begin with. It's also very expensive.

 

More than 5 million people worldwide have been diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease, with the likelihood of many undiagnosed cases due to social stigma and lack of access to care. The disease creates a cycle of medical crises due to abnormally shaped blood cells.

The results are infections, internal bleeding, pain, and debilitating fatigue. Individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) continue to be stigmatised and neglected by the health system because of a lack of understanding about the disease.

 

My special birthday is on 24th October, Zambia's Independence Day. On this day I have pledged to personally buy one month supply of hydroxyurea to 30 Sickle Cell Warriors in Zambia.

 

I'm asking you to help raise a further $2000 for me to buy more Hydroxyurea for Warriors.

I will be working with Reach A Child Initiative Zambia a not for profit organisation helping vulnerable children living with Sickle Cell Disease in Zambia.  https://www.raciz.org/ and Zambian Network for Sickle Cell - Amplified Voices and Advocacy https://zambiansicklecellnetworks.org/

Hydroxyurea has been around for the management of sickle cell disease for over 20 years. However in places like my home country people are still finding it difficult to access this medication.

 

Help me change the lives of these Sickle Cell Warriors and their families. Help me celebrate my birthday. 100 % proceeds will go to purchase this drug. You can choose to sponsor one Warrior or donate any amount you see fit. Thank you for your support