July 3, 2017 by Andrea
Photo: Instagram/@therealtboz
After Prodigy's passing late last month, celebrities and fans alike flocked to social media to express condolences and shock at the news. Many people even inquired as to what sickle cell was and how someone got it -- another clear sign that this disease does not even come close to getting the attention and research support it needs.
One celeb, though -- T-Boz of the R&B girl group TLC -- sent off a series of tweets that were perhaps the most impactful, as they came from a place of true understanding and passion for awareness. A sickle cell warrior herself, T-Boz has had a few near-death experiences, which she shares in her upcoming book, "A Sick Life" (out in September, which is also Sickle Cell Awareness Month). Never one to keep quiet on the issue, T-Boz hosts annual fundraisers for sickle cell, speaks on it regularly in interviews, and writes about it in her books and poetry.
In the following tweets, she calls out the SCDAA for not doing enough and calls on the Black Lives Matter movement to do more in regard to sickle cell awareness. Read what she has to say, heed the call, and get involved in any way you can.
I tweaked My Back 2Day so been later out 2Day!!! It Saddens me to hear about #Prodigy My ❤️& prayers go out to his family! I've been trying
— Tionne T-Boz Watkins (@TheRealTBOZ) June 21, 2017
My BEST to Raise Awareness & Find A Cure With not much Help from those like the SCDAA who should be utilizing artist like me with a platform
— Tionne T-Boz Watkins (@TheRealTBOZ) June 21, 2017
We have to be our own ADVOCATES Regardless of those who don't support have no compassion or understanding of this deadly disease
— Tionne T-Boz Watkins (@TheRealTBOZ) June 21, 2017
I HATE it takes the death of a celebrity to bring even more notice to something I talk about almost in every interview for 25years
— Tionne T-Boz Watkins (@TheRealTBOZ) June 21, 2017
#BLM THIS disease is PREDOMINATELY an African American Disease so Black Lives Have Mattered over more than just one topic or issue
— Tionne T-Boz Watkins (@TheRealTBOZ) June 21, 2017
WE NEED TO SUPPORT 1 ANOTHER OVER ALL compassion for people as HUMAN BEINGS not objects and lab rats but help to FIND A CURE SAVE OURSELVES
— Tionne T-Boz Watkins (@TheRealTBOZ) June 21, 2017
Lastly I will continue to spread the word I HOPE THIS WILL URGE MORE OF U TO HELP ME DO SO!!! I also opened up in my book about it for the
— Tionne T-Boz Watkins (@TheRealTBOZ) June 21, 2017
1st time ever and this is one of the reasons why!!! People have NO IDEA HOW UGLY THIS DISEASE IS! Adults and children die allllll the time
— Tionne T-Boz Watkins (@TheRealTBOZ) June 21, 2017
But you NEVER hear about it! Doctors FONT UNDERSTAND THIS DISEASE THEY TREAT US LIKE CRAP IN THE ER AND HOSPITAL anyone can read a book and
— Tionne T-Boz Watkins (@TheRealTBOZ) June 21, 2017
Recite it bk but that doesn't mean u are KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT SICKLE CELL WAKE UP ITS A PROBLEM
— Tionne T-Boz Watkins (@TheRealTBOZ) June 21, 2017
With that being said I'll stop my rant but ITS SERIOUS and SOMETHING HAS TO CHANGE FOR US SICKLERS WE NEED ALLLLLL THE HELP WE CAN FET
— Tionne T-Boz Watkins (@TheRealTBOZ) June 21, 2017
So much! This is WHY I started #TbozUnplugged to 1.Raise Awareness 2.Find a Cure a solution a something I'm fighting for myself as well as U
— Tionne T-Boz Watkins (@TheRealTBOZ) June 21, 2017
