September is Sickle Cell Awareness: Meet Hawa Kano

If you aren’t aware, September is Sickle Cell Awareness month. Sickle Cell is a disease that primarily affects racial and ethnic groups. It is a disease that individuals can live with but it can also be life threatening. I recently had a family member who was diagnosed last year with Sickle Cell. I was truly devastated upon learning about their illness but I am taking it upon myself to learn more about it and help spread awareness. So in honor of Sickle Cell Awareness month, I wanted to give a few ladies a moment to share their story about life with Sickle Cell.

Meet Hawa Kano.. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself. 

My name is Hawa Kano I am 24 years old from West Africa (Ghana and Nigeria) born and raised in the Bronx NY. I received my Associate’s degree from Borough of Manhattan Community College in TriBeCa NY. After receiving my AA I transferred down to Barry University in Miami FL I felt that Barry wasn’t for me so I am now attending Florida international University in Miami FL working on my Bachelors degree in international business, and I have Sickle Cell Anemia (SS).

 How old were you when you were diagnosed with Sickle Cell Anemia?

My doctor knew I had sickle cell while I was still in my mothers wound. My doctor gave my mother the option to abort me, I was born with it.

 For those who don’t know, can you explain what Sickle Cell Anemia is?

Sickle Cell Anemia is a blood disorder that causes a mutation in your red blood cells and causes them to be a crescent shape and have low oxygen levels. The mutations in the cell cause the cells to stick together and cause painful crises. Sickle Cell Anemia is a disease that inherited it’s a life long disease that you are born with and if you don’t take care of your self you can die from it. It’s a silent disease that thousand of people are living with today.

 What are some of the challenges you face/faced?

Having to monitor my pace and slowing myself down due to sickle cell. If I do to much physical activity and don’t pace myself or drink enough water it can cause me to go into crises. The frustration from always being sick and having to sit out from school, and many events. Dealing with the side effects of medication, and the painful experience pre crises.

 Who is your biggest influence/support?  How do they provide support?

My biggest influence/support I would have to say is my over all family and friends but especially my mom and brothers and my boyfriend. These people make it worth the fight I go through everyday they keep me motivated when ever I’m ready to give up they always remind me of my strength and future goals when ever I forget. I guess you can say I do it all for them.

Are you a “naturalists”, if so, has Sickle Cell affected your natural experience in any way?  What “naturalists” do you admire? If you are not natural, what is your opinion on wearing hair in its natural state?

I am not a naturalist I prefer to wear my hair in weaves and braid. However sickle cell can affect your hair, some of the medication can cause mild hair thinning and breakage. Naturalist that I admire are Alicia keys as well as Ciara. My hair is natural I don’t have a perm or anything I think it’s actually really pretty when people where there natural hair and are able to style it and maintain it. I personally don’t wear my natural hair because I feel I look like a 12 year old when I wear my natural hair and I’m not satisfied with the length that my hair is at that why I don’t wear my natural hair.

What would you like others to know about you and about Sickle Cell? 

Sickle Cell is real it’s painful and can be very difficult to live with. Educate your self and other. Learn about the types of sickle cell and how people live and die from it everyday. There are four different types of sickle the most command are hemoglobin SS and hemoglobin SC. I have hemoglobin SS, which mean I inherited the S gene from both of my parents and my pain crises are more painful and frequent then someone with SC but it, can differ depending on the individual. Sickle cell can cause other medical complications such as delayed growth, blindness, skin ulcers and many other thing so it very important to educate yourself and get tested so we can break the sickle cycle.

How can others support individuals affected by SC?

The best way to support someone with SC is to get educated and be understanding, not sympathetic because some people can get that confused with being understanding. Life is already difficult as it is but to have SC and have to deal with life is a different kind of difficulty that no one would probably ever understand so if you know someone with sickle cell and they tell you there tired or in pain or whatever just try to understanding that they really going through something and always try to motivate them.

 What social media platforms can we find you?

You can find me on Facebook and Instagram at:

Facebook Hawa Kano

Instagram Q_eve618

Thank you Hawa for sharing your story! Hashtag #boldlipsforsicklecell to spread awareness 

Sincerely, Takeya (@takeya_monique)