Nigeria will be joining the global community to commemorate World Sickle Cell Day on June 19th – as designated by the United Nations. SCFN is ready to partner with Lagos State in ensuring effective observance of the day – mindful of the fact that World Sickle Cell Day serves as a target date for all governments – Federal and State – to ensure that systems and mechanisms are put in place for the control of SCD in the country and to continue to monitor and evaluate progress made.

In commemorating the day this year, the theme: “SICKLE CELL DISORDER IS NOT A DEATH SENTENCE” has been selected. Research has shown that one of the setbacks in the fight against sickle cell in Nigeria is ignorance and lack of adequate information in the Nigerian population about the disorder. It is mindful of this that the Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria is organizing a Schools’ Quiz on SCD Knowledge, Awareness and information for Senior Secondary Students. The aim is to ensure that school-age youths are adequately informed about sickle cell disorder and thereby become change agents at the community level. They will also be knowledgeable about sickle cell long before they start their families.