My name is Emmanuel Boakye. I was diagnosed with Sickle Cell Anemia at the age of 3 months. My parents, young Ghanaian immigrants seeking a better life, had traveled to Canada, a country renowned for its top-notch healthcare system. I’ve lived in and out of hospitals, repeatedly overcoming my Sickle Cell battles.
On March 4, 2019, around 4 am, I experienced a severe Sickle Cell crisis. Tightness in my chest and stabbing pains took over both my legs, making walking nearly impossible. Hesitant to burden my family, I attempted to rush myself downtown. However, realizing I wouldn’t make it in time, I exited the highway and headed to the nearest emergency department. After a night at Mackenzie Health, I was transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU) due to difficulty breathing.