He also advised parents of children with health issues to stop living in denial and seek appropriate help. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 66 percent of the 120 million people with sickle cell disease live in Africa. The WHO report indicates that approximately 300,000 children are born with sickle cell disease globally each year, with 240,000 of them born in Africa. Jacinta Ochieng', a sickle cell anemia warrior, told *The Standard* that she has been a long-time beneficiary of blood donations, appreciating the efforts by organizers in curbing blood shortages in hospitals. "I was born with sickle cell and have been dependent on transfusions often since childhood.

Source: Daily Nation June 23, 2024 17:25 UTC