Adekunle Gold voices strong plea for sickle cell awareness: 'Now is the moment for my message to resonate - lives are at stake'
In the background, Adekunle Gold has been silently wrestling with sickle cell anemia, a hereditary blood condition characterized by oddly shaped red blood cells, which lead to intense pain, anemia, and potentially life-threatening complications. This condition primarily affects children who receive two copies of the sickle cell gene, one from each parent.
This disease is predominantly found in Africa, accounting for a staggering 66% of cases globally, as per the World Health Organization. Nigeria stands out as the country carrying the heaviest burden, with over 150,000 babies born with sickle cell disease annually, making it the highest in any nation.
In 2022, Adekunle Gold first opened up about his struggle with sickle cell disease in his song “5 Star.” Now, he is gearing up for a long-haul commitment to activism, declaring the initiation of the Adekunle Gold Foundation. This organization will direct its efforts towards addressing the needs of children battling sickle cell disease across Africa.
Recently, the singer had an in-depth conversation with CNN’s Larry Madowo, marking his first public discussion about living with sickle cell.
This interview has been slightly modified for clarity and brevity.
Larry Madowo: What's the reason for you speaking up about sickle cell disease now, especially since you're being quite aggressive in raising awareness?
Adekunle Gold: I finally built up the courage to talk openly about it. Many others can't share their struggles like I can. When I was creating the song “5 Star”, I was reflecting on my life, my journey, and how I'm a miracle. As I pondered upon that song, I thought, maybe it's time to utilize my voice. People are dying, people are going through hell. They can't afford basic necessities for their health, and if international organizations aren't doing anything about it, it's time to force their hand to act.
Larry Madowo: What hurdles have you had to overcome while living with sickle cell?
Adekunle Gold: I used to purposefully expose myself to situations that would make me sick as a child. For example, engaging in strenuous activities that I shouldn't have been doing, and there were always consequences. But I chose not to let this disease define me. So, if it means I have to exercise more, take my medications, eat healthily, rest well, and drink more water, then I have to do that consistently.
Larry Madowo: Have there been any memorable instances during your activism work when people aren't even aware of what they're dealing with?
Adekunle Gold: When I started speaking up about it on social media, I realized that many people are uninformed about it. This is something I inherited, and people are picking on me for it. I realized that people don't even know these things. I just need more people to be conscious.
Larry Madowo: What are some of the obstacles to receiving proper care for sickle cell patients in West Africa? In Nigeria?
Adekunle Gold: People don't have money, plain and simple. The last outreach I organized, people came to Lagos to get medication, check their blood pressure, and examine their children all the way from Ilorin, which is around 300 kilometers away from Lagos. I was amazed. We don't have accessible facilities where you can just be treated in your own location. Other countries like the UK and Canada have policies for sickle cell. Yet, where it affects us the most, we don't have it. People can't even afford folic acid, and folic acid is one of the most basic things you should be able to afford.
Ilorin is approximately 300 kilometers from Lagos, Nigeria.
Larry Madowo: What do you hope to accomplish by raising your voice on this matter, by speaking out publicly?
Adekunle Gold: I want everyone to first become informed about it and know how to treat those who have it. I also want people to understand the importance of checking your genotype.
Larry Madowo: You're proof that one can live with sickle cell and still lead a full, healthy, and prosperous life. Will you continue discussing this in your music and public appearances with your shows?
Adekunle Gold: I've created the foundation, so you know it's real. It's now time to act. I'm continuously learning my voice, continuously doing outreach, and constantly battling for it. I want the international community to pay attention just like they do for other diseases. Sickle cell is a major issue, and it mainly affects my people. I want the world to take action.
Watch Larry Madowo’s full interview with Adekunle Gold on African Voices Changemakers.
