Sickle Cell Advocacy Day is less than two months away, so we wanted to shine a light on four more celebrities who've joined the cause for sickle cell awareness. Which of these advocates were you aware of? Which of these were new to you?
Photo: Instagram
Prodigy
Prodigy was diagnosed with sickle cell disease SS at the age of 3. As a member of the rap group, Mobb Deep, he was able to express his anger about suffering from the disease, as well as other things he was dealing with. He has also teamed up with the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (SCDAA) before, as a panelist at their 2011 conference and as a partner in their "No Pain" campaign, which helps create national awareness for SCD and raises funding for research, programs, and services. Prodigy has also written an autobiography about his life, a part of which details his struggles with sickle cell.
Photo: Instagram
Jourdan Dunn
As the young mother of a son who suffers from sickle cell, British supermodel Jourdan Dunn helps raise awareness through her support of the UK-based Sickle Cell Society, as well as through her own charity work. For the past two years, she's hosted her annual Cell for Gratitude event, in which all of the proceeds from sales at that event go to the SCDAA. In 2014, she was also the SCDAA's National Parent Ambassador.
Photo: Twitter
Ryan Clark
A carrier of sickle cell trait, former NFL player turned current NFL analyst for ESPN, Ryan Clark, started the Cure League after experiencing his own complications from the trait, as well as dealing with the loss of his sister-in-law to the disease. The Cure League raises funds for sickle cell research and awareness.
Photo: Twitter
Santonio Holmes
Also an NFL player and carrier of sickle cell trait, Santonio was inpsired to launch his own foundation when his son, TJ, was born with sickle cell disease. The Ill and Long Foundation raises money to fund sickle cell research and provide help to families affected by SCD in other ways, as well.
