Many Nigerians and individuals in the world at large
are suffering from Sickle Cell Anaemia and this is quite traumatizing
considering that the problem is not a result of the sufferers but ignorance of
the parents of the sufferers. This trauma is what Miss Adaora Stephanie Nwodo, CEO of Miss Dee for Sickle Cell
foundation, a Non-Governmental Organization set up to create awareness of
the sickle cell disease and cater to the less privileged living with the
ailment in Nigeria addresses.
Excerpt:
May we know you ma, what is your
name?
My name is Miss Adaora Stephanie Nwodo. I am the
first daughter and the second child of His Excellency Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo. I
am from Enugu State. I Schooled in Birmingham City University in the UK where I
Studied Law and Masters in Human resource Management and
Marketing. I am the founder of the Miss Dee for Sickle Cell foundation, a
Non-Governmental Organization set up to create awareness of the sickle cell
disease and cater to the less privileged living with the ailment in Nigeria.
Wow, so from law to human resources to
philanthropy, you must be a determined and passion driven lady. We are curious
to know, why Sickle Cell?
Well I am a lawyer by profession but I don’t practice. The Nigerian legal
system is just not ready for me yet (laughs). As for human resource management,
I still do that, I mean I run an NGO and so every day I manage humans. Sickle
cell is a cause I am extremely passionate about. I grew up in a family where I
had and have relatives who suffer from this disorder. I have lost family
members and friends to this ailment and hence it hits home for me. Sickle cell
is a Condition that is completely avoidable and preventable. The sufferers
which we like to call warriors do not deserve to be born into this life of pain,
its brought upon them by not fault of theirs but ignorance and selfishness of
their parents, hence my vow to educate as many Nigerians as I can on the need
to know their genotype and the consequences of bringing forth children with
sickle cell to the world.
Going back a bit, how did it all happen?
At what point did you decide you were going to venture into this part and how
long has it been?
This was way back in 2009 when I returned to Nigeria after my Masters Degree
education at Nigerian law school. On arrival to Nigeria my cousin was
brainstorming on launching her own Sickle Cell foundation which she did
eventually that year. It is called Sickle Cell Aid Foundation (SCAF). I joined
them and we did amazing things. However in 2011, my idea of helping and vision
for the cause changed. So I went on to register my own NGO ‘the Miss Dee for
sickle cell foundation’ and we are 9 years in existence now.
Wow 9 years, that’s amazing, so tell us
how it has been and support you have gotten so far (if any).
It has
been a long and tedious journey I must say. Getting funds in Nigeria for
humanitarian causes is an uphill task simply because people have abused
it. Everyone now thinks all NGOs are thieves. So, honestly most of my works
have been self-funded with the help of friends and well wishers here and there.
We have managed to do over 1000 free genotype tests in Abuja municipal and
awareness campaigns in schools and seminars since our inception. Also, with the
help of the past Akwa-Ibom Governor, His Excellency, Goodswill Akpabio we were
able to send our first patient in 2012 to India for skin redrafting surgery and
other complications. Since then, we have been managing a few patients around
Nigeria who are registered with us and supplying them with their monthly
medications. It hasn’t been easy trust me but I am determined to keep fighting
for this cause.
You really are working and I pray God
sends you the needed support and help you need. So please tell us, what is next
for Miss Dee for Sickle Cell Foundation?
What next you know…(laughs). To be honest there is always something up and
that is Awareness! Awareness!! Awareness!!!.
It’s costing me ‘so so’ much to reach the desired audience to make an impact
and difference due to some lack of support and funds. Hence, I decided this
year to produce an awareness movie on sickle cell and life of warriors in
Nigeria. It is based on true life stories of some of my warriors. The movie is
called the “Crescent” and it features a number of TOP known acts who
were generous enough to support the cause and come together to do this
project. The project was self funded by me and features the likes of
Michelle Dede, Ivie Okujaiye, Yakubu Mohammed, Ayoola Ayola, Iyke Okechukwu,
Ifeanyi Kalu, Chioma Omeruah, Tony Goodman, Nadia Butch, Kaziah Omesore,
my humble self and the distinguished Senator Dino Melaye.
That movie sounds exciting already. So
when do we get to see the movie?
Well, it takes a lot to produce a film, but by the grace of God, we did and it
was out in genesis cinemas in November 2019. Hopefully it will be on more online
platforms and cable TV soon.
That’s amazing. You are really a
force to reckon with.
Small me (smiles).
We are barely where we hoped we will but in all we thank God for all we have
been able to do.
How can people contact you or your
NGO for sponsorship or assistance? Do you have an office?
We do! It is a helpdesk for registration and genotype testing at Hope Foundation
Center, Jahi/Mabushi in Abuja. Below is our helpline and website where you can
register as a volunteer or warrior.
Our
website is: www.missdeefoundation.org
Email
address is missdee4sicklecellfoundation@gmail.com
Instagram
is @missdeefoundation and our helpline is +2348091466689
To wrap it all up, any words of advice
and encouragement to warriors out there and the government or donors?
First of
all, I will like to say to all warriors out there that they are not alone in
this journey. We are here to hold their hands and walk with them. They might fall;
they might even stumble but will never crumble. They will always rise up again
because that’s what warriors do.
To the
Government, something must be done and done fast to pass a bill to prohibit
Nigerians from getting married without doing a genotype test and understanding
the consequences of their intending actions.
To donors
please we are not all thieves, some NGOs are genuine, kindly do your due
diligence and support where needed.
Finally I pledge to continue to “Help Stop the Pain” Which is
my Slogan. Thank You.
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