Popular Nigerian singer Adekunle Gold has opened up about his continued struggle with sickle cell disease, revealing that he still experiences crises despite managing the condition since childhood.
The 38-year-old music star made the revelation in a recent interview shared on social media, where he recounted his long battle with the illness and the pain it brings.
“I still have crises,” Adekunle Gold admitted while discussing how the disease has affected his life.
Reflecting on his experience, he revealed that he has been on medication since he was a child. “The first time I noticed that I had it was the night I fell sick and my dad wasn’t home. My mum carried me on her back and we walked miles to the hospital. I don’t remember how old I was, maybe like 5 or 7. That was when the doctor told me about it, and they told me that I will be taking folic acid and B complex for the rest of my life. And that’s my life for a very long time, even till now.”
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Adekunle Gold emphasized the importance of genotype testing, urging people to be more informed about sickle cell. “My vision is to make more noise about it because a lot of people don’t know about it, and the important organisations are not making so much moves regarding it,” he said.
He explained further: “Where sickle cell is more popular or where people know it most is my country Nigeria. And it happens when an SS matches an SS. And that’s why knowing your genotype is very important because the point is you should not bring many more kids that have sickle cell.”
Speaking about his parents, the singer said, “Unfortunately for me, my parents are sickle cell and they brought me to the world. The first time I ever heard of sickle cell was I would fall sick every time with my joints paining me. So when we talk about crisis, it is pains on your joints, my legs and sometimes stomach. It’s really crazy.”
Prompt News reports despite the challenges, Adekunle Gold expressed gratitude for being able to manage the condition better as an adult. “I still have crises once in a while but not as bad as I had it when I was a child, you know maybe because I have found a way to take care of myself more properly. And I’m grateful to God for the resources to be able to do that,” he concluded.
