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		Search Text: Home/Education and Awareness/< Back ToSickle Cell Disease: Research, Programs, and Progress/Today’s Faces of Sickle Cell Disease

	
Today’s Faces of Sickle Cell Disease
								
																																
																	
            Honoring Today's Faces of Sickle Cell Disease. The future of sickle cell disease research is now. Learn about the people behind the progress.

September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month. Throughout the month, the NHLBI will share real stories of strength and perseverance. The stories will highlight people living with sickle cell disease, their loved ones, clinicians, and the researchers whose work offers hope for a cure. Read their stories below.
			
								Patrick Onwuemene: Clinical trial volunteer, sickle cell disease survivor
              September 29, 2023
                  
  
                    	
	Patrick Onwuemene
	

  
                                                
            Clinical trial volunteer, sickle cell disease survivor His story: Patrick Onwuemene, age 46, was born in Lagos, Nigeria, and immigrated to the United States...
      
                      
    
                              			Read more
    Tesha Samuels: Gene therapy recipient, founder of nonprofit group
              September 22, 2023
                  
  
                    	
	Tesha Samuels
	

  
                                                
            Gene therapy recipient, founder of nonprofit group Her story: It has been almost six years since Tesha Samuels, 41, first described her sickle cell journey for...
      
                      
    
                              			Read more
    Anissa Sacchino
              September 15, 2023
                  
  
                    	
	Anissa Sacchino
	

  
                                                
            Living Warrior Her story: Anissa Sacchino, a 49-year-old from Temple Hills, Maryland, learned early that most childhood activities — like playing in the snow or...
      
                      
    
                              			Read more
    Ebow H-Smith
              September 08, 2023
                  
  
                    	
	Ebow H-Smith
	

  
                                                
            Health care professional, sickle cell disease advocate His story: Ebow H-Smith has turned his experience with sickle cell disease into an opportunity to connect...
      
                      
    
                              			Read more
    Ugonna Anyadike
      
	
                              Credit:
                  				Justice Gray
              September 01, 2023
                  
  
                    	
	Ugonna Anyadike
	

  
                                                
            Health enthusiast, hip-hop artist His story: When Ugonna Anyadike, a 29-year-old Baltimore, Maryland resident, grew up, he lived a normal life. This included...
      
                      
    
                              			Read more
    caesar scant playing a violin.
              September 29, 2022
                  
  
                    	
	Caesar Sant
	

  
                                                
            Violin prodigy, sickle cell disease survivor His story: On August 1 Caesar Sant celebrated his 14th birthday, surrounded by his mom, dad, two sisters, and a few...
      
                      
    
                              			Read more
    headshot of chris sweet.
              September 15, 2022
                  
  
                    	
	Chris Sweet
	

  
                                                
            Computer specialist, father, sickle cell advocate His story: Chris Sweet, 47, refuses to let sickle cell disease (SCD) stop him from living a full life. When he...
      
                      
    
                              			Read more
    Kwanzaa Bennett
              September 15, 2022
                  
  
                    	
	Kwanzaa Bennett
	

  
                                                
            Writer and musician, gene therapy trial participant Her story: On Feb. 8, 2022, Kwanzaa Bennett, a writer and musician based in Dallas, celebrated the first day...
      
                      
    
                              			Read more
    headshot of yaw lokko
              September 08, 2022
                  
  
                    	
	Yaw Lokko
	

  
                                                
            Patient advocate, clinical research trial participant His story: Yaw Lokko, a 59-year-old from Burtonsville, Maryland, has lived with sickle cell disease all...
      
                      
    
                              			Read more
    Juliana Voss
              September 01, 2022
                  
  
                    	
	Juliana Voss, R.N., M.S.N.
	

  
                                                
            Nurse, clinical research trial participant Her story: When Juliana Voss, R.N., M.S.N., was a child, she dreamed of being a nurse. But as she grew up, her sickle...
      
                      
    
                              			Read more
    Shauna Whisenton and her son Dorian appear in a photo together.
              September 28, 2021
                  
  
                    	
	Shauna Whisenton
	

  
                                                
            Manager, Community Engagement, American Society of Hematology Research Collaborative Her story: When Shauna Whisenton, 42, received a bone marrow transplant (...
      
                      
    
                              			Read more
    photo of Umut Gurkan, Ph.D.
              September 15, 2021
                  
  
                    	
	Umut Gurkan, Ph.D.
	

  
                                                
            Sickle cell researcher, technology developer, and professor at Case Western Reserve University His story: Umut Gurkan, Ph.D., a biomedical engineering professor...
      
                      
    
                              			Read more
  
      
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