Lea Kilenga, Africa Sickle Cell Organization

CNN Heroes 2024

Once ostracized for having sickle cell, Lea Kilenga has made it her life’s mission to raise awareness about the disease and advocate for other sickle cell patients to have access to quality, affordable health care. Since 2017, her nonprofit, Africa Sickle Cell Organization, has helped more than 500,000 people in a region that has one of highest rates of sickle cell disease. The group is fighting stigmas and bringing treatment that was once only available in wealthy Western countries to sub-Saharan Africa.

The donations will be used to support Eunice, one of the beneficiaries who is featured in the video. Eunice lives with Sickle Cell Disease and is a mother of two girls. She has suffered from avascular necrosis on both of her hips, one of the most debilitating complications of Sickle Cell. Eunice needs a double hip replacement amounting to 1.5M Kenya shillings approximately $12,000. Half of this cost will be covered by the Africa Sickle Cell Organisation provided health insurance Eunice benefits.

All you support is greatly appreciated.

Check out CNN Hero Lea Kilenga's full story on CNN.com

PLEASE NOTE: The Edward Charles Foundation is a US-based nonprofit that is accepting donations on behalf of Africa Sickle Cell Organization. All donations are tax-deductible in the U.S. and will be forwarded to Africa Sickle Cell Organization.