#NNPA BlackPress
Sickle Cell Strong: Sickle Cell Disease Advocate Marie Ojiambo
NNPA NEWSWIRE — Marie Ojiambo, who graduated from St. John’s University’s College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in New York and who specializes in pre-clinical Pharmaceutical Research, is also the founder of the Sickle Strong Initiative—a Kenyan based NGO whose mandate is to raise awareness around sickle cell disease and advocate for better health care opportunities for patients suffering from the disease in Kenya.
By Lauren Poteat, NNPA Newswire Washington Correspondent
It’s been more than 100 years since sickle cell disease was first discovered in America.
Today, the rare hereditary blood disorder continues to affect millions of people throughout the world.
Sickle cell disease – or SCD – affects approximately 100,000 Americans and occurs among about 1 out of every 365 African-American births, according to medical experts.
Nearly 1 in 13 African American babies are born with the sickle cell trait, which medical experts said means that an individual has inherited the sickle cell gene from one of his or her parents.
During its annual convention, the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), a trade organization that represents African American-owned newspapers and media companies throughout the U.S., partnered with Pfizer Rare Disease (Pfizer) to host a forum on this rare disease.
“I was diagnosed with sickle cell disease at the age of 1,” said Marie Ojiambo, a consultant for Pfizer, during the forum moderated by NNPA President and CEO, Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr.
“And always wanted to be a support system and advocate for research, for other young women, going through the same thing,” Ojiambo said.
“Because of this, I always felt like it was important for me to not only introduce myself by my profession, but also as a sickle cell warrior,” said the Kenyan native.
“When I competed in the Miss Africa USA pageant back in 2014, I made sure that my pageant platform, represented the same personal goals I had for myself and advocated for, sickle cell disease awareness,” she said.
Dr. Chavis emphasized, “The NNPA is grateful to Pfizer for introducing Marie Ojiambo to the Black Press of America. Ms. Ojiambo is an excellent role model for millennials, and in particular for young African and African American women, who are interested in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields of study. Marie Ojiambo’s outstanding success as a research scientist is truly inspiring as she did not allow the challenges of Sickle Cell Disease to prevent her from achieving her professional career goals.”
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, the sickle cell disease trait is most commonly found in places like Africa, India and Southeast Asia.
However, it is not exclusive to one race.
Also, as the Hemoglobin disorders follow the malaria belt around the globe, those who have the trait are relatively protected from malaria.
Although most who carry the sickle cell trait remain healthy, medical statistics show that if two healthy people who carry the trait join to conceive a child, there’s still a one in four chance with every pregnancy that they would have child with active SCD.
Ojiambo, who graduated from St. John’s University’s College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in New York and who specializes in pre-clinical Pharmaceutical Research, is also the founder of the Sickle Strong Initiative—a Kenyan-based NGO whose mandate is to raise awareness around sickle cell disease and advocate for better health care opportunities for patients suffering from the disease in Kenya.
While she champions research and viable medications and solutions, Ojiambo also emphasized the importance of being regularly tested.
“Both of my parents were carriers of the sickle cell trait and so when they came together, I received the disorder,” Ojiambo said.
“It is so important to know your status and to get tested regularly,” Ojiambo continued.
“Take part in clinical trials and work to make sure you have access to primary care physicians and a good hematologist.”
#NNPA BlackPress
LIVE! — ASK ALMA — TUES. 5.30.23 7PM EST
This week, guest host Leah Farmer King and her panel share tips and advice to reader mail. Leah and the panel, along with the …
The post LIVE! — ASK ALMA — TUES. 5.30.23 7PM EST first appeared on BlackPressUSA.
This week, guest host Leah Farmer King and her panel share tips and advice to reader mail. Leah and the panel, along with the …
The post LIVE! — ASK ALMA — TUES. 5.30.23 7PM EST first appeared on BlackPressUSA.
#NNPA BlackPress
LIVE! — ASK ALMA! — TUES. 1.9.24 7 PM EST
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Welcome back for our first show of the year! This week, Alma and her panel answer viewer mail. As always …
The post LIVE! — ASK ALMA! — TUES. 1.9.24 7 PM EST first appeared on BlackPressUSA.
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Welcome back for our first show of the year! This week, Alma and her panel answer viewer mail. As always …
The post LIVE! — ASK ALMA! — TUES. 1.9.24 7 PM EST first appeared on BlackPressUSA.
#NNPA BlackPress
LIVE! — ASK ALMA! — TUES. 1.30.24 7PM EST
Think you’re the only one with problems? Each week, NNPA advice columnist Alma Gill, along with her panel of guest advisors …
The post LIVE! — ASK ALMA! — TUES. 1.30.24 7PM EST first appeared on BlackPressUSA.
Think you’re the only one with problems? Each week, NNPA advice columnist Alma Gill, along with her panel of guest advisors …
The post LIVE! — ASK ALMA! — TUES. 1.30.24 7PM EST first appeared on BlackPressUSA.
-
Community3 weeks ago
Financial Assistance Bill for Descendants of Enslaved Persons to Help Them Purchase, Own, or Maintain a Home
-
Business3 weeks ago
V.P. Kamala Harris: Americans With Criminal Records Will Soon Be Eligible for SBA Loans
-
Activism4 weeks ago
Oakland Post: Week of April 10 – 16, 2024
-
City Government4 days ago
Court Throws Out Law That Allowed Californians to Build Duplexes, Triplexes and RDUs on Their Properties
-
Activism2 weeks ago
Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024
-
Community3 weeks ago
AG Bonta Says Oakland School Leaders Should Comply with State Laws to Avoid ‘Disparate Harm’ When Closing or Merging Schools
-
Community3 weeks ago
Richmond Nonprofit Helps Ex-Felons Get Back on Their Feet
-
Community3 weeks ago
Oakland WNBA Player to be Inducted Into Hall of Fame
9 Comments