In February of 2026, I will be traveling to Tanzania with Sickle Forward in partnership with the Melian Foundation. Together, we are working to screen 50,000 infants for sickle cell disease (SCD) across the Tabora and Mara regions over the course of one year. The project launched in April 2024 to provide early diagnosis and link children to essential care (antibiotic prophylaxis, immunizations, and hydroxyurea) that drastically improves survival.

Without early diagnosis, as many as 80% of children with sickle cell disease in these regions do not survive past the age of 5.

This work is deeply personal to me because my mother was a sickle cell warrior. She lived with courage and strength, but ultimately passed away from complications of the disease when I was ten years old while vacationing in her home country of Ghana. Her passing shaped my journey in medicine and fuels my passion for advancing health equity for people with sickle cell disease worldwide.

It has been a blessing to connect with Dr. Alan Anderson, whose mission aligns closely with my own. This trip presents an opportunity for me to honor my mother’s legacy by serving communities that face the same challenges she once did. Every child deserves a chance at a healthy life, no matter where they are born.

All funds raised through Sickle Forward will help the Melian Foundation carry out newborn sickle cell screenings, giving thousands of infants the chance for early diagnosis and care. Every contribution, no matter the size, brings us closer to giving these children a future filled with hope.

Newborn Screening for SCD in Tanzania

Help honor my mother’s legacy by bringing hope and care to children with sickle cell disease in Tanzania.