SCD warrior Asiata Onikoyi-Laguda recently welcomed her 90th year! (Photo: CreateHER Stock)

'Tis the season of comfort and joy, so we've been focused on bringing you sickle cell news and stories that reflect perseverance and a hopeful future. Continuing with this trend, today, we're highlighting a woman named Asiata Onikoyi-Laguda -- a sickle cell warrior at 90 years old!

According to The Cable, a Nigerian newspaper, Asiata is thought to be the oldest living person with SCD. What makes this even more amazing? When she was born back in 1925, people with sickle cell were only expected to live to the age of 5. The Cable reports: "Due to the level of illiteracy at the time of her birth, she was never diagnosed to have had sickle cell; she just had all the symptoms, including terrific pain, which hindered her from going to school till she was about 12 years old." The article also reveals that Asiata has no dietary restrictions, even to this day. "She eats salt, eggs, meat, sugar, fried food, as it pleases her.

"Asiata does say, though, that she does everything in moderation. She tells The Cable: “I have always maintained a middle road in life. Moderation keeps you going, when those who indulge themselves have lost their balance."
 
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