The Chutzpah Foundation led by the current Miss Southwest, who is also a Miss Cameroon Contestant, Atem Noella, in collaboration with Access Bank, Biaka University Institute, Buea, and the Doctor Biaka Memorial Foundation, on June 21- 22, 2015, organised a campaign to create awareness about sickle cell disease and provide free genotype testing to hundreds of young people in Buea. The event, themed “Breaking Barriers, Building Hope: Youth United Against Sickle Cell,” aimed to combat stigma and advocate for equitable healthcare for individuals living with the condition.
Despite expecting around 300 participants, the event attracted over double the number, demonstrating the interest young people have in knowing more about sickle cell disease and their genotype status. The campaign provided a platform for individuals living with the condition to share their stories and experiences, as well as best practices on how to manage and minimise incidents of crises.
Miss Southwest and Miss Cameroon contestant, Atem Noella, delivered a keynote address, highlighting her passion for leading the fight against sickle cell disease. Having witnessed her mother struggle with the condition, Atem understands the importance of advocating for policy change and improving the lifestyle of individuals living with sickle cell disease. She recalled seeing her mother go through immense pain and sleepless nights, which sparked her desire to create awareness and advocate for change.
The Hutzpah Foundation, an initiative under Atem Noella’s platform, aims to create awareness about sickle cell disease, promote education, and showcase the talents of individuals living with the condition.
The foundation also empowers women and mothers of children living with sickle cell disease, enabling them to better manage their children’s condition. According to Atem, the initiative has made a significant impact, reaching over 3,000 individuals and testing hundreds for their genotypes.
Empowering Women, Mothers
This campaign included livelihood and entrepreneurship empowerment for women and mothers, particularly those taking care of sickle cell patients. Access Bank provided support and resources to help these women develop economically rewarding skills, improving their economic prospects and enabling them to afford the care that those living with the condition under their care need.
By promoting awareness and education, Atem hopes to make a lasting impact and improve the lives of those affected by sickle cell disease. The Chutzpah Foundation plans to continue its efforts, pushing the project to other regions of Cameroon and reaching thousands more people. The foundation aims to ensure that individuals living with the condition have equal opportunities and are not marginalised.
At the event in Buea, 52-year-old Fontem Victorine, Atem Noella’s mother and Vice President of the Chutzpah Foundation, shared her story, highlighting the importance of accepting one’s condition and learning the best ways to manage it. She emphasised the need for parents to provide counselling and support to their children with sickle cell disease, treating them as individuals who require extra care and attention.
“When I’m in a crisis, I don’t stay at home,” she said. “I visit the hospital, because if I stay at home, the veins may collapse, and the hospital will not be able to help me.”
Day two of the campaign saw the foundation and its partners take their awareness message to Christians of the St Charles Lwanga Parish in Buea, where they sensitised and gave them an opportunity to do free tests to know their status.
By Andrew Nsoseka
