Lea Kilenga on surviving and thriving with Sickle Cell Disease

Lea Kilenga has sickle cell disease, which causes daily pain and difficulties. But that didn't stop her from harassing Kenya's Head of Non-communicable Diseases via daily WhatsApp messages—until he started listening to her! In this episode, Lea shares with us how a girl from a small coastal village in Kenya, where 24% of the local population carries sickle cell, is persuading global health institutions, as well as her own government, to make sickle cell disease a health priority and ensure all patients have access to beautiful, fulfilling lives. Through her own painful and powerful life experiences, Lea illustrates what life is like for patients and the future she's creating for them, herself, and—she hopes one day—her own children.

Get Involved!
Learn more about Lea Kilenga's work and how you can support her to improve the lives of sickle cell patients here: justpeoples.org/leaders/lea
Why Give a Buck?
Because with $3,376 USD Lea can bring a community of stigmatised sickle cell patients out of marginalisation by providing medical knowledge, access to treatment and support groups, and dignity.