In a demonstration of its commitment to promote, support healthy living among Nigerians and contribute to the fight against Sickle Cell Disease, Amazing Grace Diagnostics held an awareness program about Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) in Ogun State.

World Sickle Cell Day is observed annually on June 19 to increase global awareness, knowledge and understanding of sickle cell disease and the suffering faced by the affected people.

The program held at owode-Egba Ogun State on Sunday was to contribute to well being of children living with the sickle cell disease.

The program, with the Theme: ” SHINE THE LIGHT ON SICKLE CELL “, began with a novelty football match between Female Machine Football Club and Faweh Football Academy.

The football match was followed by an awareness walk on the streets, free testing for people and a lecture about the killing Cell at the Owode-Egba town hall.

Prominent guests like HRM Oba Kolawole Sowemimo, Medical Practioners, Healthcare providers, Parents/Guardians, Religious institutions, Children and sickle warriors were in attendance.

The organizer who is the Director of Amazing Grace Diagnostics, Mr. Harrison Omoragbon (Medical Laboratory Scientist) stated that the reason behind the initiative was to sensitize the people most especially the young ones not to continue the circle of mistake other parents made, to know their Genotype and make informed decision before getting into relationship as well as give hope to the sickle cell warriors.

“This programme is targeted at promoting awareness of sickle cell disorder; educating the community on prevention and management of sickle cell anemia and encourage warriors (sicklers) to have positive attitude to life as well as create database for information management and sharing.

“It is rural outreach where we talk to people about Sickle Cell and run free Genotype and blood group Testing. We are also providing free medication for people affected with Sickle Cell. This is our first outreach and we are happy to be well-received by the community members. People at the rural community lack access to real information and we want to help.”

Speaker at the event, Dr Oke Joshua, said that it is important to make information available to individuals, families and communities to reduce the likelihood of couples having children suffering from the disease.

“We all know how deadly the Sickle Cell Disease is, that’s why we are here with Amazing Grace Diagnostics to spread the gospel.”

Doctor Oke, further used diagrams to explain Genetic Compatibility, blood groups and genotypes.

According to him, information about these will help to know the type of blood each person has and influence choice of who to marry.

Meanwhile, The HRM Oba Kolawole Sowemimo, the Olu of Owode Egba lauded the organizers for the initiative and appealed to government to help create more awareness about the deadly disease.

“It’s a very good initiative and I commend Amazing Grace Diagnostics for doing such thing in our community. It will go a long way in prevent the spread of the disease. However we need more NGOs to follow Amazing Grace Diagnostics footsteps and help the people of the know more about what we are doing today.”

Meanwhile, the organizers promised to hold more awareness program as part of the contribution to the community.

  Amazing Grace Diagnostics, Health, Healthcare, HRM Oba Kolawole Sowemimo, Mr. Harrison Omoragbon, Ogun State, Owode-Egba, Sickle Cell, World Sickle Cell Day