Living With Sickle Cell Disease: Danielle’s Story of Resilience
By Synthia Lateu
At the age of seven, Seme Danielle’s parents discovered she had sickle cell disease after repeated pain crises led to a hospital visit. The diagnosis marked a turning point—not only in Daniel’s life but also in that of her family. Her parents eventually separated, yet both remained committed to her treatment.
In school, Danielle faced backlash and bullying for appearing physically weak. But she remained hopeful. “Sickle cell is serious and dangerous, but it’s not the end of the world,” she told CNA in Douala on June 19, World Sickle Cell Day.
Today, Danielle lives with the illness, fully aware of how to manage it. “There are things I do and things I don’t. For example, at night I must always wear a pullover. There are meals I can’t eat, and some sports I can’t play,” she explained.
Her story mirrors that of many sickle cell patients across Cameroon. Often, the parents have no idea they carry the gene until it’s too late. The disease is a serious hereditary blood disorder that affects about 2% of newborns in the country, with up to 30% of the population carrying the sickle cell trait.
Yet, across the streets of the economic capital city, Douala, awareness of the disease remains patchy. For some, it is still unknown.
Sickle cell specialist, Dr. Eposse Ella Charlotte, warns that patients face frequent pain, chronic anemia (or profuse bleeding) —sometimes requiring repeated blood transfusions—and a heightened risk of severe infections. Complications can affect various organs and may lead to permanent disability.
“Sickle cell disease is passed on when both parents carry the S gene,” she explained. “If an electrophoresis test shows that someone is AS, and they have children with another AS or SS partner, there’s a high chance of passing the disease to the child.”
Dr. Eposse stresses that prevention starts with knowledge: “Each person must know their hemoglobin electrophoresis status and make informed decisions. If I carry the S gene, I must avoid having children with someone else who also carries it. The only safe option is to have children with someone who is AA.”
As the fight against sickle cell continues, health experts are calling on the public to get tested and spread awareness—because prevention begins with knowledge.
Globally, more than seven million people carry the sickle cell gene, with 66% of them living in Africa—making it a public health priority.
Still, there is hope. According to Dr. Ella, medical progress and growing awareness have begun to transform the lives of patients.
“Today, we have more tools to support sickle cell patients—to improve their quality of life and reduce the risk of complications,” she said. “But this requires regular medical follow-up and strict adherence to the lifestyle guidelines for those living with the disease.”
Though rare, Dr. Ella says there are now elderly sickle cell patients in Cameroon. “We have a mother who turned 30 this year, and another who is 68 and living with sickle cell. She even has children,” she revealed.
However, some long-time patients have stopped going to the hospital, believing they’ve mastered the disease. Dr. Ella warns against this: “They think they’re experts now, but they’re often the ones who show the most dangerous symptoms—symptoms we may no longer be able to treat in time.
