CHARITY FOOTBALL MATCH FOR SICKLE CELL ANAEMIA AWARENESS
Success Stories / By Vyonne Owade / 24/10/2022
Sickle Cell Disease is a genetic blood
disorder. It is most common among people whose ancestors come from Africa,
the Middle East, the Mediterranean basin, and India.
It affects haemoglobin,
(the protein found in red blood cells (RBCs)) that helps carry oxygen
throughout the body. It occurs when a
person inherits two abnormal genes (one from each parent) that cause
their red blood cells to change shape. Instead of being flexible and
disc-shaped, these cells are stiffer and curved in the shape of the old farm
tool known as a sickle — that's where the disease gets its name. The immediate
cure for Sickle cell anaemia is bone marrow transplant which is not readily
available in Kenya and also very expensive.
Management
of sickle cell anaemia is usually aimed at avoiding pain episodes, relieving
symptoms and preventing complications. One
of the most common ways to manage sickle anaemia especially in children is the
use of daily medications which include Hydroxyurea
(Droxia, Hydrea, Siklos).
Hydroxyurea
reduces the frequency of painful crises and might reduce the need for blood
transfusion and hospitalization. In Kenya, it is estimated that 14,000 children
are born with Sickle Cell Disease every year. In the absence of routine
new-born screening and appropriate treatment, an estimated 50-90% of those born
with the condition die undiagnosed before their 5th birthday in Sub-Saharan
Africa. This disease is common across Kenya, affecting 18 counties, with high
disease burden pockets in Western, Nyanza and Coastal regions.
In
the month of September, the world celebrates Sickle Cell Awareness Month, it’s
in this regard that the Children Sickle Foundation
together with German Doctors
Nairobi and Ruaraka Uhai Neema Hospital organised a Charity Football Match to
play versus Railway Wanderers FC, on 1st of October 2022 to create
awareness about sickle anaemia and also collect donations towards the purchase
of hydroxyurea for those families that cannot afford
this essential medicine, thus the term Turning
sickles to smiles.
At the end of the event, the Charity Football Match collected money worth buying 14,000 capsules of hydroxyurea. This is above the initial target of 10,000 capsules. The fundraising efforts are attributed to:
v Edwina Orowe: Fundraised for 6000 capsules of hydroxyurea
v
German Doctors Nairobi: donated
4000 capsules of hydroxyurea and players kits
v
Children Sickle Cell Foundation
and Friends: donated 4000 capsules of hydroxyurea and Players training bibs and
Goalie’s kit
v
Ruaraka Uhai Neema Hospital:
Players kits, water, soda and snacks for players
For
any donation towards the same course you can donate to the Children Sickle Cell
Foundation; remember it’s about Turning sickles into smiles