On 5th May, 2019, Werent Born Rich, a clothing brand together with Help the needy ones Islamic Dawa Association (HIDA Uganda) and Rena Community Development Association camped in Bboza, Butambala for a sickle cell awareness drive.
The campaign was aimed at raising awareness about sickle cell disease and also the importance of a diverse supply of blood to help meet the needs of those battling the disease. As such, activities included testing, donating of blood and an interactive talk moderated by doctors with the locals of Bboza village.
Sickle cell disease is a genetic disorder that affects red blood cells making them unable to efficiently carry oxygen around the body cells. This abnormality is inherited from both parents if both carry the abnormal genes as carriers or sicklers. People with sickle cell disease usually suffer from recurrent bacterial and malaria infections, body and bone pains, and many other life threatening complications. The national Sickle Cell trait prevalence currently stands at 13.3% while disease prevalence stands at 0.73% in Uganda.
“Sickle cell disease affects the quality of life of the victims living with the disease, and blood transfusions can minimize some of the health risks it causes,” said Fauzan Ssebagala, co-founder of Weren’t Born Rich, also a victim living with the disease. “Drives such as this one where blood donations are done go a long way in helping patients to keep fighting.”
WBR is a clothing brand aimed at empowering young people to pursue their dreams regardless of the bottlenecks in their way to success. It was founded by Fauzan and his sister, Nabila Nakigozi also a victim of the disease.
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