Sickle Cell Disease & Rhesus Complex Prevention

What are you raising money for?

We are raising funds to support the Integrated Sickle Cell Disease and Rhesus Incompatibility Prevention and Control Initiative by Dr. Michael People Empowerment Foundation. This life-saving project aims to prevent the birth of children with Sickle Cell Disease and reduce Rhesus incompatibility cases, through public awareness/enlightenment, free testing, and counseling. Nigeria bears the world’s highest burden of Sickle Cell Disease, with over 50 million carrying the sickle cell trait and 200,000+ babies born annually, many of whom die before age five. Those that survive, suffer lifelong pain, stigma, and economic hardship and some die early. Rhesus incompatibility, another inheritable and preventable health issue, often lead to miscarriages, baby brain damage, or infant death. Many young people are unaware of their inherited Hemoglobin genotype or blood group, due to inadequate awareness and enlightenment drive, financial constraints and limited access to testing services. Our initiative offers a Prevention Package that includes: • Hemoglobin genotype and blood group testing • Personalized counseling • Awareness/enlightenment materials • A permanent, protected result card Prevention Package costs just ?25,000 ($20) per beneficiary. Our primary targets are young people, especially those not yet married or in unions. And vast majority of them are students in tertiary institutions and youth service members They are often unable to afford these vital services in today’s economic hardship. The funds raised will help us reach the vulnerable, save lives, and break the cycle of these inherited pain and preventable health crises.

Why are you raising the funds?

We are raising these funds because Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) and Rhesus incompatibility continue to be excruciating health issues in Nigeria. Current prevention efforts are grossly insufficient, not much is currently being done about the situation. Funds, partners and actors on preventive drive are grossly inadequate. The importance of funds for this initiative at this stage cannot be overstated. Many young Nigerians, especially those not yet married, do not know their Hemoglobin genotype or Rhesus status. The present situation of economic hardship and limited access to testing services, prevents timely action, leading to high-risk unions and the birth of affected children. It is crucial to raise these funds to support this preventive drive NOW, because both Sickle Cell Disease and Rhesus incompatibility are easily preventable through public awareness/enlightenment, early hemoglobin genotype and blood group testing, and appropriate counseling. Without immediate intervention, the incidence and prevalence of these diseases will continue to rise, leading to more innocent children experiencing devastating suffering and early death. Our "Integrated Sickle Cell Disease and Rhesus Incompatibility Prevention and Control Initiative" offers a vital and timely solution, empowering individuals especially financially incapable young people, to have timely hemoglobin genotype and blood group testing, counselling, informed healthy decisions and foster healthier families and communities.

What will the funds raised help achieve?

The funds raised will help to directly address the critical gaps in preventing Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) and Rhesus incompatibility in Nigeria. Currently, inadequate public awareness/enlightenment, insufficient primary prevention efforts, and the financial incapability of young people to undertake the essential Hemoglobin genotype and blood group testing, contributes to the continuous birth (200,000 + annually) of children with sickle cell disease, thus, consistently increasing incidence and prevalence of these conditions. By securing these funds, we will be able to: • Intensify Public Awareness and Enlightenment: The funds will cover Awareness and Enlightenment materials, as well as the logistical costs of organizing workshops and seminars in various settings, educating the public on these preventable conditions. • Facilitate Accessible Testing: A significant portion of the funds will subsidize or fully cover the cost of Hemoglobin genotype and blood group testing and permanent protected result cards. This removes the financial barrier for young people, ensuring they can know their status and make informed healthy decisions. • Provide Comprehensive Counseling: Funds will support counseling for identified carriers and Rhesus-negative females, guiding them towards appropriate preventive measures and healthy decisions. Possible impact will include; 1. More young people received awareness and enlightenment on Sickle Cell Disease and Rhesus incompatibility. 2. More young people have Hemoglobin Genotype and Blood Group Testing with a permanent protected result card. 3. Reduced at-risk marriages with respect to Sickle Cell Disease 4. Reduced new cases of Sickle Cell Disease and Rhesus incompatibility