In March 2019, Emmanuel Boakye was preparing for family trip when he experienced the most severe sickle cell episode of his life.
At three months old, he was diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease, an inherited disorder of the red blood cells that disproportionately impacts Black people. Sickle Cell Disease limits the blood’s ability to carry oxygen, resulting in patients suffering from severe cases of excruciating pain from anemia and being immunocompromised.