What is Sickle Cell Disease?
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited blood disorder that affects hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body. In individuals with SCD, red blood cells become rigid and shaped like a crescent or “sickle,” rather than soft and round. These misshapen cells do not move easily through blood vessels, which can lead to blockages that reduce blood flow and oxygen delivery to vital organs and tissues.
As a result, people living with sickle cell disease may experience episodes of severe pain (known as pain crises), fatigue, increased risk of infections, and potential complications such as organ damage, stroke, or anemia. SCD is a lifelong condition, but with proper medical care, early diagnosis, and ongoing management—including medications, routine checkups, and healthy lifestyle practices—individuals can improve their quality of life. Ongoing research continues to advance treatment options and offers hope for more effective therapies and potential cures in the future.
Who has Sickle Cell Disease?
Devale Ellis
Actor & Former NFL wide receiver
In his interview with The List (April 2022), Ellis also discussed why he's so fervent about bringing awareness to sickle cell disease, and it will likely make you fall even more in love with the footballer-turned-actor. One of the biggest reasons Devale Ellis is passionate about sickle cell anemia awareness is in large part due to having a family, he told The List. Ellis explained that sickle cell disease has a genetic trait that can be found in one's blood even if they're not expressly suffering from it. "We found out that my wife has the sickle cell anemia trait, [and] if I have the sickle cell anemia trait, there's a large possibility that our sons could have sickle cell anemia or have the trait," he continued before adding that two of his sons are confirmed to have the trait.
Furthermore, folks with the trait can suffer more from illnesses like COVID-19, Ellis revealed. "We dealt with COVID last year for my birthday actually, around this time the whole family got COVID and we noticed that [Khadeen] was feeling a little bit more lethargic than everyone else," he said. "We started doing research and people with sickle cell are affected [more] disproportionately with COVID than people who don't have it." Thankfully, he added that she experienced a full recovery from the virus.
Ultimately, Ellis' family continuously inspires him to help others.
Donovan Peoples-Jones
NFL Wide Receiver
Donovan Peoples-Jones is a wide receiver and return specialist for the Cleveland Browns.
While Peoples-Jones does not himself have sickle cell disease, he is very aware of the challenges and disparities this disease presents. Peoples-Jones partners with Sickle Cell 101 through the NFL My Cause My Cleats Campaign to advocate for more education, research, and funding for sickle cell.
Ryan Clark
Former NFL Safety
Ryan Clark always knew he carried the trait for sickle cell anemia, a genetic blood disorder. However, he never imagined it would affect him in the dramatic way that it did. The former NFL safety was signed as an undrafted free agent by the New York Giants in 2002 and went on to have a 13-year, Pro Bowl career. In addition to playing for the Washington Redskins, he spent eight years with the Pittsburgh Steelers, including as a member of their Super Bowl XLIII championship team. However, in 2007, during a game in Denver, Clark experienced excruciating pain in his left side. He was rushed to the hospital where he was diagnosed with a spleen problem that turned out to be directly related to his sickle cell trait and which had been triggered by the high altitude. He ultimately had surgery to remove both his spleen and gall bladder, but was deactivated for all future games that were played in Denver.
“It was really scary,” Clark recalled. “I had never been through anything like that. I didn’t know the severity. But then I kept getting sicker. I kept losing weight and I would get up in the night with fevers of 104 degrees. It was tough to deal with and it was tough on my family. It made me understand what people with sickle cell go through every day.” After losing 30 pounds, Clark eventually regained his health and his strength and continued with his football career, returning to the Steelers in 2008. But, Clark knew this was a cause he needed to take on and he launched Ryan Clark’s Cure League. His own experience wasn’t the first time he had been confronted with the severity of the disease. His best friend, whom he considers his brother, lost his wife to sickle cell anemia in 2009 - just one year after they were married.
There will always be a personal aspect to his fight. Clark and his wife, Yonka, have three children, the youngest of whom, like Clark, has the sickle cell trait. Although only 10 years old, the Clarks are already educating her and her siblings on what the disease is all about and its ramifications.
For now Clark is excited about the work being done and the possibilities that exist once the Pittsburgh research facility is up and running. But he knows that in addition to raising awareness, people everywhere need help and guidance and he is eager for the doors to open and start effecting change.
“People need to know that when this research center is up and running it’s a place you can go for help.”
Beanie Man
Reggae & Dancehall Artist
Moses Anthony Davis is a Jamaican dancehall deejay better known by his stage name, Beenie Man. Beenie Man and his son, Moses Jr., both have sickle cell disease. Beenie Man launched a foundation to help people, especially young people with sickle cell, Jamaica’s most common genetic disorder. Beenie man was awarded the Best Reggae Album during the 43rd Annual Grammy Awards.
T-Boz
R&B Artist (TLC)
As a child, Tionne Watkins was diagnosed with sickle cell anemia. Since the age of seven, she has been in and out of the hospital due to the painful condition. T-Boz opened up to the public about the disease in 1996; she later became one of the spokespersons for Sickle Cell Disease Association of America. In 2002, she was hospitalized for four months due to a flare-up of sickle-cell anemia. She is a national co-chair of the progressive organization Health Care Voter.
Larenz Tate
Actor, Producer & Director
Actor Larenz Tate is a dedicated advocate for Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) awareness, working for over 20 years to improve care and education regarding the genetic blood disorder. Along with his brothers, he founded the Tate Bros. Foundation to support research, driven by personal connections to loved ones fighting the disease.
Prodigy
Hip Hop Artist (Mobb Deep)
In an interview with Vibe in November 2000, Prodigy spoke about what inspired him to directly address his battle with sickle-cell anemia in his song "You Can Never Feel My Pain", from his debut studio album H.N.I.C. He attributes his nihilism to the "permanent physical suffering" caused by his lifelong battle with the condition.
On June 20, 2017, it was reported that Prodigy had died at the Spring Valley Medical Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, while hospitalized for complications related to his sickle-cell anemia. He was performing in the Art of Rap Tour in Las Vegas with Havoc, Ghostface Killah, Onyx, KRS-One, and Ice-T when he was hospitalized.
According to a coroner's report, Prodigy was admitted to Spring Valley Medical Center after suffering a significant medical episode arising from his life-long battle with sickle-cell anemia. Days later, on the morning of June 20, Prodigy was found unresponsive by hospital staff. It was reported at the time that Prodigy died from accidental choking. The complaint, which was filed on behalf of the family by The Gage Law Firm, alleges that the Spring Valley hospital breached their duty of care for Prodigy by "failing to maintain a working IV access," and by "failing to continuously monitor oxygen levels" as ordered by physicians in the hospital and that those failures led to Prodigy's death.
Miles Davis
American trumpeter, composer, bandleader, and cultural icon
Miles Davis was an iconic trumpeter, composer, and bandleader who revolutionized jazz music. He was also a respected pioneer of the bebop, cool jazz, and fusion eras. Throughout his career, Davis was renowned for his impressive improvisational skill and adventurous recordings. Beyond these accomplishments, however, few are aware that he also suffered from sickle cell disease.
The disease prevented him from touring after 1975, as the illness had incapacitated his legs causing great difficulty in performing on stage. Despite this challenge, Davis continued to record albums throughout his lifetime.
Tiki Barber
Former NFL Running Back
Former NFL running back Tiki Barber has been a prominent advocate for sickle cell awareness, specifically by spearheading the "Be Sickle Smart" campaign to educate on managing the disease. While some sources list him as having the disease or the trait, he is widely recognized for his advocacy in supporting those affected by the condition.
Kiki Shepard
American trumpeter, composer, bandleader, and cultural icon
The community is mourning the passing of KiKi Shepard, an actress and passionate advocate for those affected by sickle cell disease, who died recently at 74. While many recognized her as a longtime co-host of Showtime at the Apollo, she was also the founder of the KIS Foundation and a committed supporter of individuals and organizations serving the sickle cell community.
In a message shared on her website, KiKi reflected on what inspired her advocacy work. She explained that her journey began after witnessing the devastating impact of the disease on a close friend’s family, whose loved one suffered and ultimately passed away from the condition. Moved by grief and a desire to make a difference, she dedicated her time to supporting families across the country and connecting with individuals living with the illness, gaining firsthand understanding of its physical and emotional toll.
After years of collaboration within the advocacy space, KiKi went on to establish her own nonprofit organization in the mid-2000s. She also played a key role in national conversations, including serving as moderator of the Lonzie Lee Jones Symposium at a major convention in 2010, and remained actively involved in raising awareness and support throughout her life.
Her family shared in a statement that KiKi firmly believed in the power of compassion, community, and education to transform lives. Through her voice and efforts, she brought visibility, hope, and vital resources to many who often felt overlooked.
Her dedication leaves a lasting legacy, and heartfelt condolences go out to her loved ones during this difficult time.