Award-winning Nigerian singer Adekunle Gold has not only made a name for himself in the music industry but has also been quietly battling sickle cell disease.
This inherited blood disorder, which affects mostly Africans, has not stopped Adekunle Gold from achieving success in his career.
With as many as 150,000 babies born with sickle cell disease in Nigeria annually, Adekunle Gold decided to use his platform to raise awareness and establish the Adekunle Gold Foundation. This foundation aims to address the needs of children battling sickle cell disease on the African continent.
In a recent interview with CNN’s Larry Madowo, Adekunle Gold opened up about his struggles with sickle cell disease and why he is now being very vocal about raising awareness. He spoke about the challenges he has faced, including putting himself in situations that triggered his condition as a child.
Adekunle Gold emphasized the need for better care for sickle cell patients in West Africa and Nigeria, highlighting the lack of access to affordable healthcare and basic necessities like folic acid. He hopes that by speaking up publicly, he can raise awareness and encourage people to understand the importance of checking their genotype.
Through his foundation and advocacy work, Adekunle Gold is determined to make a difference and ensure that the international community pays attention to the impact of sickle cell disease on African populations. He believes that with the right support and awareness, people living with sickle cell disease can lead full and healthy lives.
As Adekunle Gold continues to use his voice and platform to advocate for sickle cell awareness, he hopes to inspire others to join the cause and create positive change for those affected by this genetic condition.
