Mac Arthur and its nonprofit affiliate, Lever for Change, recently announced the top five finalists for the third round of the 100&Change competition. This is a global competition awarding a single $100 million grant to help solve one of the world’s most critical social challenges.
Dr Titilope Fasipe and her team, led by Dr Joseph Lubega from Texas Children’s Hospital, have emerged as one of the top five finalists and are on their way to qualifying for a $100 million grant by Mac Arthur Foundation for their sickle cell disease care and treatment project. Dr Titilope Fasipe and her team, through this project, seek to integrate essential Sickle Cell Disease care into primary health services across Africa to save millions of affected children from pain, disability and preventable deaths.
Sickle Cell Disease is an age-long haemoglobin blood disorder which is typically inherited and more predominant in Africa and Asia. The disease is estimated to affect about 7.7 million people worldwide, directly causing an estimated 34,000 annual deaths and a contributory factor to a further 376,000 deaths. She was diagnosed at age 1 and inspired by the loss of her vibrant teenage cousin, Dr Fasipe quietly carried her sickle cell diagnosis through medical school until she realized her experience was her greatest asset in delivering empathetic, high-quality care. As co-director of Texas Children’s Sickle Cell Program, she’s on the front lines of Sickle Cell Disease treatment, awareness and care. Dr Fasipe and her team are shifting how we talk about sickle cell disease from a “ticking clock” to a story of resilience, hope, and cutting-edge treatment. They strive to ensure that sickle cell patients live life to the fullest with the right care and support. This is a landmark achievement through Dr. Titilope Fasipe and her team’s dedication and impact.
