Life & death of a blossoming rose

My name is June.

This World Sickle Cell Day, June, 19th, I will be releasing an animated film (The Life and Death of a Blossoming Rose ) created by a talented young artist who is also my beloved niece, Michelle Okochi and narrated my my sister, Ijeoma Okochi-Agwu. It’s based on a poem I wrote a few years ago.

The film and poem shines the light on the silent struggle of children, teens and adults living with sickle cell disorder.

It’s a deeply personal story to me. One of pain, resilience, and love

From the helpless arms of a crying mother, to growing up to a reality of pain, to the lonely corridors of emergency rooms, nights in dark wards, and the quiet strength it takes to survive a body that turns against itself. This is the reality many still live with every day.

I lived it. I still do.

But this isn’t just about me. It’s about the next child born with sickle cell and into poverty, whose family doesn’t yet know the name of the pain.

It’s about the children & teenagers in deprived rural villages and communities who face this journey without access to health care, basic medicines, good nutrition, education, support, or even a proper diagnosis.

It’s why I started serving them through my small foundation. Doing this work in Africa starting in Nigeria, is extremely important to me.

So I am fundraising as we draw close to World Sickle Cell Day for Fit to Achieve Sickle Cell Foundation, an organisation that makes sure these children don’t walk alone.

Every penny raised will help provide vital medicine, education, and access to healthcare.

I invite you to watch the film on @fittoachieve Instagram page when it launches on June 19.

Economies are hard but trust me, as little as £1, €1 or a $1 goes a long way for one child so if you can, please donate

Any donations will help ease the weight for someone who carries it every day.