Elijah Powell, the young man who was the subject of my "Man of Morehouse Breaks the Sickle Cell Cycle" article, kicked off his first event this past week, on September 29, 2015. The event was held in the Nabritt-McBay Lecture Room II at Morehouse College. Approximately 45-60 people were in attendance. Some students were biology majors interested in learning more about this reoccurring illness, some were individuals who, like Elijah, suffer with sickle cell disease, and the rest were friends, families, and supporters of Elijah.

The event began with an opening statement by Elijah, the founder of the organization Sickle Cell Smart, that described who he was and how he formed the event in honor of Sickle Cell Awareness month. It came from a desire to provide a deeper understanding of what sickle cell anemia is and a focus on the needs of Atlanta University Center students. His guest speakers were Milford W. Greene, Ph.D., director of Health Affairs and Clinical Services for the Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia, and J.K. Haynes, Ph.D., who is a cell biology professor for Morehouse College. Both are alumni of Morehouse College.

Dr. Greene focused on explaining what sickle cell anemia is, the effect it has on the country and those who have it, and different modes of transmission from parents to offspring through genetic inheritance. Dr. Haynes presented the background of the economic, social, and political issues associated with the disease. Both emphasized that sickle cell causes about 350,000 deaths per year, and it has been on record since about 1971. Towards the end of their presentation, they both reiterated the need for advocacy, donations, and fundraising to help continue to break the sickle cell cycle nationwide.

Dr. J.K. Haynes addressing the guests with his research.

Following this program, a group of students from the Atlanta University Center had a brief moment to talk about their experiences with sickle cell and their expectations from their peers. These students were Nicholas Clemons, Christopher Polston, Karys Belger, and Jori Smith.

Nicholas described how his matriculation at Morehouse College has been an ongoing process for five years due to constant medical setbacks from sickle cell. He said, "I look at it as a tribute that has given me a very unique perspective." Then, Christopher touched on his appreciation for people showing up to the event because "it is actually very pervasive in the African American community." He described how he aspired to play sports as a child, but he couldn't due to sickle cell. He connected it to the screening present-day football players undergo for sickle cell before the season occurs.

Karys described how she had recently been uncomfortable with discussing her sickle cell experience because she didn't want people to treat her differently. She is one of the few patients who has a slightly "weird," as she called it, experience with sickle cell that hasn't affected her body as much throughout her life, but it definitely has taken a toll. Finally, Jori pitched in with her desire to tell her personal story with the illness as she and her younger sibling both live with it. She showed much gratitude towards Elijah for encouraging her to speak up about it and be an advocate.

Nicholas Clemons is pictured above.

Elijah closed the program out by stating, "Everyone has something that they're going through." He believes it is his duty to be a testament for not only sickle cell patients, but also for others who wish to do anything that they desire. He doesn't want anyone to treat him differently or feel bad for him because "people with sickle cell disease can still live a good life." He even stated that he would second-guess being cured of sickle cell disease because of the huge impact it has placed on his life.

Many doors have opened for him since the last interview. He was contacted by the director for the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, who invited him to a Red Shoe Gala in Decatur, Georgia, on Sept. 19 and to Baltimore, Maryland, for a convention at the Sickle Cell Disease Headquarters that took place Sept. 23-26. Elijah also mentioned how he was granted the opportunity to start his own nonprofit organization that will be starting in the next school semester.

When asked what he aspired to complete in the near future, Elijah said, "I want to continue what I'm doing, which is advocating and raising awareness for the cause. I'll use the platform I have been given to touch people with sickle cell and outside of the community. I hope things like this continue to open doors for sickle cell, so people will hear what WE are all doing. Actions are louder than words." He also mentioned people could help by giving blood at blood drives, volunteering at events, and helping him and others bring more awareness to the community.

What will be your legacy?