30/06/2026
REPORT OF THE 2026 WORLD SICKLE CELL DAY CELEBRATION IN BAMENDA
The event carried out at the Regional Hospital Bamenda, was organized by Emeli Smile Sickle Cell Foundation in Collaboration with Talk pregnancy with Dr. Noella took place on the 19th-06-2026.
Activities of the day started at 1pm with a word of prayer from a warrior, followed was a power speech from the founder and CEO of Emeli Smile Sickle cell foundation, Nora Brown, highlighting the theme of this years' sickle cell day celebration “Closing the Survival Gap: Equity in Sickle Cell Disease”. She acknowledged every Sickler/warrior including Doctors, nurses, Caregivers and everyone who in one way supported warriors especially in their challenging moments.
The 1st presentation of the day came from Talk pregnancy with Dr. Noella on the topic. Challenges faced by young people adolescent girls with sickle cell disease, which ended with an interactive session between the presenter and the warriors.
Next was a speech Titled: My Story of Menstruation from Tata Sonita, a Miss Cameroon universal Northwest 2026, Sickle Cell warrior and Advocate, Development Communicator, Social Worker and Founder of "Advocacy Models". She was greatly appraised by Dr Kam Kate, a Consultant Pediatrician at the Regional hospital Bamenda and Lecturer at the University of Bamenda.
A 2nd presentation on the topic Sickle cell and diet was done by Mrs. Vanessa, a nutritionist at the Regional hospital Bamenda, highlighting food types which are of great importance for people with Sickle Cell disease and those which should be avoided
The 3rd presentation of the day was on Priapism in males with Sickle cell disease, presented by Talk pregnancy with doctor Noella, a topic which featured in Nora Brown's opening speech and equally in that of Tata Sonita
An interactive session followed just after the presentation during which Sanitary pads were shared amongst adolescent girls with Sickle Cell and Surprised packages from Nora Brown was earned by 3 warriors who answered correctly the questions of the day showing their comprehension of the day's presentations.
Activities of the day was covered by a few media houses namely DIAMOND FM, HOT COCO FM, CITY FM and the GUARDIAN POST. Not forgetting the amazing work of Mrs. Pedmia Shatu Tita, the communication focal point and Social Media manager at the Regional hospital Bamenda who spiced the day with her catchy stile of MC.
Profound gratitudes to Dr. Kam Kate who made it possible for a Screening session to be done at the event.She gave words of encouragement to warriors who attended and equally appreciated the work of the organizers of the event, Emeli Smile Sickle Cell foundation in collaboration with Talk pregnancy with Dr. Noella.
She equally nurtured an idea from this event to carry out a free genotype screening for every young person, an initiative which is ongoing at the Regional hospital Bamenda and may last for the next 2 weeks of July 2026.
The day ended with interview Sessions with the media houses while light snacks were ongoing for participants.
Much thanks to Dr. Kan Kate for embracing the idea born by Emeli Smile Sickle Cell Foundation.
Much thanks to Talk pregnancy with Dr Noella for their smooth collaboration with Emeli Smile Sickle Cell foundation.
And much thanks to the Regional hospital Bamenda for granting Emeli Smile Sickle Cell Foundation all the necessities to have this event a success in their health facility.
Reporter; JAM EMILE KIMBI (NW Representative)
