Sickle Cell Stories: Then and Now
People and families share how sickle cell has shaped care, work and everyday life across generations.
About the project
Every voice adds to the record.
Plasma of Hope brings together first-hand accounts from people living with sickle cell, their families, carers and professionals. Their voices document changing care and everyday life across generations.
The people
Explore their stories
Read first-hand accounts of sickle cell disease and the people who support those living with it.
STORY 01Albertine and Maureen KambaAlbertine and Maureen speak as mother and daughter, and as two people living with sickle cell at different stages of life.Read their story - AAPortrait to followSTORY 02Antoinetter AllouAntoinetter describes the uncertainty that sickle cell brings to ordinary plans, including sport and time with friends.Read their story
STORY 03Armany OmaleArmany’s interview explores what it takes to care for someone through a sickle cell crisis and the days around it.Read their story 
STORY 04Babade OlusolaBabade has lived with sickle cell across two healthcare systems, first in Nigeria and later in the UK.Read their story - ODPortrait to followSTORY 05Dr Olushola DaramolaDr Olushola Daramola brings the perspective of both a medical professional and someone who has lived with sickle cell since childhood.Read their story
- STORY 06Jasmine ContehJasmine tells the story of raising a daughter with sickle cell and learning to advocate for her care.Read their story
- JLPortrait to followSTORY 07John LawalJohn writes and speaks about the demands of sickle cell with unusual directness.Read their story
STORY 08JoyJoy speaks as a mother caring for a young child with sickle cell while living with the condition herself.Read their story 
STORY 09Marie Carmen WatreMarie Carmen reflects on more than two decades of caring for a daughter with sickle cell.Read their story - STORY 10Marie-Claire KofiMarie-Claire founded Plasma of Hope from lived experience as well as a determination to change care for others.Read their story
STORY 11Martin RoseMartin looks back on the people and places that helped him live with sickle cell.Read their story 
STORY 12MaryAnne FominyenMaryAnne speaks about living with sickle cell from childhood in Cameroon to adult life in the UK.Read their story - MMPortrait to followSTORY 13Melissa MbaKOPMelissa brings both a mother’s and a nurse’s perspective to caring for a child with sickle cell.Read their story
- NWPortrait to followSTORY 14Nicole WarnerNicole describes the pain of sickle cell and the isolation that can grow around an invisible condition.Read their story
- STORY 15Seanasteff KwahSeanasteff reflects on moving from children’s care to adult services while living with sickle cell.Read their story
- TMPortrait to followSTORY 16Tamara MclarenTamara has lived with sickle cell for more than four decades and describes how its effects have changed over time.Read their story
- STORY 17Vanessa SolomonVanessa describes learning to care for a daughter diagnosed with sickle cell in early childhood.Read their story
Project publication
Sickle Cell Stories booklet
A collection of personal accounts and project context.
Coming soon