More Than A Statistic: 3 Strong Women Speak Out About Their Triumph Over Sickle Cell Anemia
Today, June 19th, is World Sickle Cell Awareness Day.
From Tionne "T- Boz" Watkins, a singer in the girl group TLC, to Prodigy, a rapper and former member of the hip-hop duo, Mobb Deep, there are over 2 million sickle cell patients in the United States.
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a red blood cell disorder that changes the shape of the red blood cells. The cells are supposed to be disc-shaped, but SCD changes them into a crescent, or sickle, shape. The sickle-shaped cells can stick to vessel walls, causing blockages that can slow or completely stop the flow of blood.
1 in 13 Black or African-American babies is born with the sickle cell trait (SCT) and sickle cell disease (SCD) affects approximately 8 percent of African-Americans.
Although the narrative of sickle cell anemia is often accompanied by sympathy and heartbreaking images, three strong women, who are a part of the Sikcell Twitter Community, are seeking to change the narrative by sharing their stories. With The Warrior Series, photographer Bukky Adeyokunnu wants to show the world that they are warriors, not victims to their disease.
They are more than a statistic. Check out their stories of truth and triumph below.
Beatrice
"Being born with Sickle Cell Anemia has its ups and downs. This disease has humbled me, and through that humility, I've developed a better spiritual relationship with God. My image represents a fighter who wins. Yes, I may fail and go through pain, but during those times, I know I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I fight through it, refusing to stay stagnant, and walking equipped with the full armor of God. He never said that we will not go through pain, but rather He will be with during rough times (Isaiah 41:10) This picture represents me being an individual born with Sickle Cell Anemia, fighting, and winning!" - Beatrice Adinlewa, MBA. Owner of Bee Hollywood Studio, LLC
Have you been tested for the sickle cell disease genotype? Learn more about SCD testing here.
Lydia is a recent Ivy League graduate who is passionate about using her voice to enact change in minority and female communities. Dubbed the "Intern Queen," she has worked 8+ internships in diverse industries, including Wall Street firms and the Obama White House, and is now bringing her career and lifestyle tips to you! Meet Lydia on Instagram @queen_of_anglin and Twitter @its_lit_dia.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Regina King Reflects On Grief and Loss After Her Son’s Death: ‘The Sadness Will Never Go Away.’
The pain of losing a child is an experience that no parent wants to go through — and actress Regina King is now ready to speak about her experience with grief two years after her son’s passing.
In her first TV interview appearance since her son, Ian Alexander Jr., died by suicide in January 2022, King sat down with Good Morning America, to reflect on the tragic loss.
“I’m a different person, you know, now than I was January 19,” King shared. “Grief is a journey, you know? I understand that grief is love that has no place to go.”
“I know that it’s important for me to honor Ian in the totality of who he is, speak about him in the present because he is always with me and the joy and happiness that he gave all of us,” she added.
The Shirley star also added that it's vital to discuss the common misconception surrounding depression, noting that battles with mental health can manifest in diverse ways. “When it comes to depression, people expect it to look a certain way — they expect it to look heavy,” King told Robin Roberts.
“To have to experience this and not be able to have the time to just sit with Ian’s choice, which I respect and understand… He didn’t want to be here anymore, and that’s a hard thing for other people to receive because they did not live our experience, did not live Ian’s journey.”
Jeff Kravitz / Contributor/Getty Images
The Academy Award winner openly revealed that she was initially “so angry with God.”
“Why would that weight be given to Ian? Of all of the things that we had gone through — therapy, psychiatrists, programs — and Ian was like, ‘I’m tired of talking, Mom,' " she said.
With the memory of her son near to her, King said through tears, “My favorite thing about myself is being Ian’s mom and I can say that with a smile, with tears, with all of the emotion that comes with that. I can’t do that if I did not respect the journey.”
Anderson, 26, was a musician, DJ, and King’s only child. In 2019, Ian escorted his mother on the red carpet of the Golden Globes where she took home the award for "Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture."
He toldE! News at the time, "She's just a super mom. She doesn't really let bad work days or anything come back and ruin the time that we have. It's really awesome to have a mother who I can enjoy spending time with."
Understanding that grief is shared by many others, King emphasizes the unique weight of her role as Ian's mother and acknowledges that the sadness will always be a part of her.
“Sometimes, a lot of guilt comes over me. When a parent loses a child, you still wonder, ‘What could I have done so that wouldn’t have happened?’ I know that I share this grief with everyone, but no one else is Ian’s mom, you know? Only me. So it’s mine. And the sadness will never go away. It will always be with me.”
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741, or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
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Featured image by Shannon Finney / Stringer/Getty Images