Sickle Cell International

Tchofor Dick founded Sickle Cell International Foundation to support people affected by sickle cell disease in Cameroon after undergoing a bone marrow transplant himself. Sickle Cell International Foundation is tackling the significant stigma surrounding sickle cell disease in the country. The initiative begins by onboarding families affected by sickle cell, getting to know their needs in order to personalise the support and care that it can offer. A support plan typically includes counselling, nutritional advice, healthcare, and lifestyle changes. Patients are routinely monitored by volunteer mothers, while the project also creates spaces for families to meet and share their experiences and best practices for dealing with sickle cell disease in their daily lives.

Tchofor Dick attended the One Young World Summit in Manchester, 2022. His experience at the Summit, and interacting with other young leaders working on different issues, widened his perspective and helped him become a more compassionate leader. As a result, Tchofor Dick returned to his organisation with a stronger sense of purpose and calling.

Sickle Cell International has impacted 150 families with its programming, including support plans and providing over-the-counter medications and blood tonics. These blood tonics, which increase the blood volume of patients, are taken monthly. Sickle Cell International has also taught families how to create blood tonics. Through partnerships with hospitals and medical clinics, the organisation helps patients save money on treatments, medical studies and other hospitalisation costs associated with sickle cell. 

“When I got to the Summit in Manchester, I was humbled, I was amazed, I was touched, I was inspired by the many other people who've been able to do so much from nothing. I came back with a stronger sense of purpose, a stronger sense of calling, and I came back more determined on my own work and what I was doing. That is really where I would say I benefited a lot.”