“It’s very upsetting seeing your child in pain every day” -Mother of Sickle cell patient Laments
“It’s very upsetting seeing your child in pain every day” -Mother of Sickle cell patient Laments
-Odunayo Ajani
“It’s very upsetting seeing your child being in pain every day” -Mother of Sickle cell patient Laments
Mathew Akinmuleya a British- born Nigeria was diagnosed with Sickle cell right from birth.
What should have given his parent joy now turn sour as this life threatening ailment Mathew suffers from will always call for constant attention and lots of financial commitment?
Medical experts reveal that the condition can cause complications such as stroke, loss of vision, extreme pain, and other life-threatening infections.
Matthew was said to have had his first pain crisis — where sickle-shaped blood cells don’t flow through his veins easily, causing blockages and extreme pain — at six months old. Since his diagnosis, he has always been in need of blood transfusion every month.
Speaking of her worry, his mum, Omotolani, laments: “It’s very stressful and very upsetting seeing your child being in pain every day.
“He has no break. The hospital tried to see if he could manage without blood transfusions, but he had so much pain.
“The blood he receives makes a huge difference. In the first two weeks after his transfusions, he is like a normal 10-year-old. He has energy and is able to go to school.
“But after three weeks, he starts to look pale, jaundiced, tired and pain takes over.”
Mathew is said to be in severe pain in the week preceding each transfusion which requires him to be admitted to hospital. It was said that Mathew has received 100 transfusions ever since he was born.
“As a mother and carer, I really appreciate all of those who donate,” his mum added.
“My child would not have survived without you. Without this blood, his story would be so different.”
Medical practitioners said advancements in the treatment of sickle cell disease mean that patients are living longer and the demand for transfusions is higher than ever before. While it is important to donate blood, Yet, to get the best treatment, patients need blood that is closely matched.
Director of the blood donation at the National Health Service Blood and Transplant, Dr. Mike Stredder, also said, “Every day, blood donors across the country make a difference; saving people whose lives depend on blood.
“Whether it is patients receiving treatment for cancer, blood disorders, after accidents, surgery or during childbirth.
“But we need to ensure that we have the right mix of donors and blood types, to help meet the needs of all patients who need life-saving treatment, especially those with conditions like sickle cell disease who require blood which is more closely matched than by group alone.”
As a result of this, the National Health Service has issued an urgent appeal for 40,000 Black people to give blood and save lives like Matthew’s since the blood type he requires must most likely come from a donor of the same ethnicity.
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