On Friday 4th October 2024, the akhi&saltfish Digital Network hosted perhaps our most important conversation yet, a Sickle Cell Community Roundtable discussing the experiences, challenges, and successes of those living with or dedicating their lives to supporting Sickle Cell Warriors.

Our conversation is authentically steered by the participants of the roundtable who dive deep into their experiences, sharing their toughest battles, inspirational successes and unwavering resilience.Expect to hear:Expert medical insights into what Sickle Cell is and community insights into what advocacy has looked like over the past 50 years.The experiences of parents of children with Sickle Cell, the importance of awareness and ensuring your child is empowered when navigating their healthcare.Why educators and institutions need to do more to understand and advocate for Sickle Cell Warriors.A legal lens on Sickle Cell and the responsibility of organisations to do more.Recent developments in care and what we can do moving forward to get even better.Plus much more! A huge thanks goes out to our roundtable contributors, we couldn’t have done it without you!Amanda Joseph - Sickle Cell Warrior and Medical ExpertCatherine James-Oliver - Sibling of Sickle Cell WarriorChristine Collymore – Senior Lecturer in Health and Social Care at the University of NorthamptonFlorence Ampofor-Anim - Parent of Sickle Cell WarriorGabriella Van Beek - Operations Manager, Healthwatch Northamptonshire Gifty – Project Manager, West Northants CouncilKamara James – Lived experience caring for a parent with Sickle Cell. Memory Mwanza – Parent and Author of Living with Sickle Cell Children: The Voice. Available on Amazon: https://amzn.eu/d/brplHOH Morcea Walker – Community AdvocateDominic Carrington – Senior Lecturer in Law at the University of NorthamptonRochelle Raheem – Project Manager of Live Well with Sickle Cell at Northamptonshire CarersYabs Cudjoe – Sickle Cell WarriorResources: Living Well with Sickle Cell: https://www.northamptonshire-carers.org/sickle-cell-disease Join the Anthony Nolan stem cell register: https://www.anthonynolan.org/help-save-a-life/join-stem-cell-register Learn more about Sickle Cell: https://www.anthonynolan.org/patients-and-families/blood-cancers-and-blood-disorders/what-a-blood-disorder/sickle-cell-disease Blood transfusions help those with Sickle Cell, become a blood donor now: https://www.blood.co.uk/ With thanks to Dr Marcella Daye and Evelyne Mulinge for their support in organising this event. HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH!Our JADE Conversation with the University of Cambridge’s FIRST Black Professor, Jason Arday is available here: https://youtu.be/AEqLkl-gZCA?si=sD-NQLJJBKHosWGaEngage, comment, like, share and let us know your thoughts. We'd love to hear from you. We can be found on Instagram @beforeourfriendsdie and X @akhiandsaltfish and don’t forget to get in touch, let us know how you’re finding it and ask questions at: [email protected]. Watch all episodes in the Before Our Friends Die archive now: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4Kd9OatIp5-61wFD0DBQYSofEcUphkr1 For more inclusive stories, visit our playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4Kd9OatIp5_NG_VxAUUC1diwCvfwR_nW YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC69nG-YtZpPDwf3q8ipCZew Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5T7f14xql1O0z2sQQSwKDd Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/akhi-saltfish-present/id1607369285?ign-itscg=30200&ign-itsct=podcast_box_link Any other: https://anchor.fm/akhiandsaltfish Before Our Friends Die is a podcast on the akhi&saltfish Digital Network. The concept is: "Before Our Friends Die, we want them to know about..." and you, the audience, are our friends. Sometimes it's about having the conversations that often get overlooked yet feel urgent. Equally, it can be about speaking to someone who is where we want to be and asking them how they did it. The Network also features: - SOFA SENSE'S, where we talk about and to those in, the fight world! - Cool. Fine. Done. Wicked. A podcast about music we’re passionate about. If any of those catch your interest, subscribe and stay tuned, we’ve got more coming your way!