Adekunle Gold's Foundation Delivers Life-Saving Support on World Sickle Cell Day

On June 20, 2026, the Adekunle Gold Foundation successfully hosted its quarterly sickle cell medical outreach, providing crucial support to over 500 individuals living with sickle cell disease. Held at the Akerele Medical Centre in Surelere, Lagos State, the event was a collaborative effort with the Sickle Cell Advocacy & Management Initiative (SAMI) and coincided with the annual International Sickle Cell Day celebrations.

Beneficiaries at the outreach received a wide array of medical interventions designed to enhance their quality of life. These included specialist consultations, comprehensive diagnostic laboratory testing, effective pain and crisis management, and the distribution of essential medications to support their care for up to three months. This particular outreach held special significance as it was the first since the passing of Mrs. Oluwatoyin Adesola, the revered founder of SAMI.

Award-winning global superstar Adekunle Gold was present at the event, where he personally engaged with the beneficiaries. Sharing an inspiring goodwill message to mark International Sickle Cell Day, he encouraged both children and parents alike, drawing from his own experiences as a sickle cell warrior. “As a warrior, I was constantly told I couldn’t do several things because of my condition, but I never listened to them. Today, I want to encourage and remind you that you can be anything you want to be and your dreams are valid,” he stated. He further articulated the foundation’s core mission, adding, “At Adekunle Gold Foundation, our goal is to destigmatise the sickle cell disease, bring attention to it, and provide key support to help every warrior live a fulfilling life.”

Foluso Phillips, Chairman of the SAMI board, also spoke at the outreach, highlighting SAMI’s foundational purpose. “The essence of SAMI is to try and educate people about not creating a situation whereby people with sickle cell will be born. That’s why blood screening is so important before people get engaged in any form of child rearing. And if such a situation arises, then the whole management of the process is what the SAMI organization tries to support.” He expressed deep gratitude to Adekunle Gold for his unwavering support, which ensures the continued success of these vital initiatives. Mr. Phillips also acknowledged that the success of the outreach served as a fitting tribute to Mrs. Adesola’s memory, reaffirming the commitment to carry on her legacy.

Sickle cell disease remains a significant global health challenge, recognized as one of the most common genetic diseases worldwide. Nigeria bears a particularly heavy burden, with over 150,000 children born annually with the disease, positioning the country as the largest carrier globally, affecting millions of its citizens.

Beyond its crucial medical outreach programs, the Adekunle Gold Foundation is actively engaged in addressing the critical need for long-term healthcare access for patients. In 2025, the foundation launched its innovative 5 Star Care initiative, which successfully provided free health insurance coverage to 1,000 individuals living with sickle cell disease. This impactful program was implemented in strategic partnership with the Lagos State Ministry of Health and the Lagos State Health Management Agency, ensuring that patients could gain sustained access to comprehensive care within the state’s established healthcare system.

The Adekunle Gold Foundation, founded by the global star, is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering global awareness, advocating for individuals living with sickle cell, and significantly enhancing their quality of life through comprehensive education, improved access to care, and robust community support. Empowering sickle cell warriors with essential resources and impactful initiatives is central to its mission. Driven by profound compassion and clear purpose, the foundation is committed to forging a world where every warrior receives the care, support, and opportunities they rightfully deserve. Adekunle Gold publicly shared his personal journey with sickle cell for the first time in 2022, a profound moment that galvanized the foundation’s mission to align with organizations deeply rooted in the sickle cell community, such as SAMI, and other institutions dedicated to making a meaningful impact. Through these strategic partnerships, the foundation aims to facilitate impactful programs and cultivate lasting change. BellaNaija proudly serves as a Media Partner for the Adekunle Gold Foundation.