Welcome to Sickle Cell Solutions International
Together, Let's Make a Difference.
At Sickle Cell Solutions International,
we aim to uplift the quality of life for low-income families with chronic sickle cell disease.
We aim to extend the lives of those suffering from this condition by imparting knowledge about effective care management and reducing the frequent and often life-long crises associated with the disease.
STORY
THE PROBLEM
Sickle cell disease is an often misunderstood and overlooked genetic condition that targets millions worldwide, predominantly those of African, Middle Eastern and Asian descent. The disease is characterized by a life-long battle with immense pain, with the possibility of no definitive medical cure.
Sickle cell disease doesn't care about your income status. It is chronic and debilitating, and the obstacles littering the path to effective management manifold - from lack of awareness and education about the disease, disparities in access to necessary preventive and pain management care, to a vacuum in nutritional knowledge essential for reducing painful episodes.
what we do
We are here to help you navigate through the storm. Sickle Cell Solutions International focuses on:
1
Providing education on crisis prevention care to parents of children with sickle cell disease.
2
Facilitating access to fundamental medical care for children experiencing acute sickle cell crises.
3
Offering low-cost resource tools to mitigate episodes of debilitating pain crises in children living with sickle cell disease.
Meet the Team
We are led by a dedicated team of professionals, experienced and passionate about making a meaningful difference in the lives of those battling sickle cell disease. Meet our President and Executive Director, Professor Aseye Djokotoe, Ph.D, and our Vice President and Operations Director, Hilda M Djokotoe, MS, VRC.
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Professor Vivian Aseye Djokotoe, PhD is a Professor of Criminal Justice at a University in Oregon in the United States. She has very extensive higher education administration experience and is poised to be a phenomenal leader of this organization. After successfully rising through the academic tenure track process right after the completion of her PhD in 2004 from Oregon State University, she successfully went through the stages of the tenure process to reach the pinnacle of the academic ladder as a tenured full Professor. Vivian is also a person living with sickle cell disease and exemplifies how good support systems can help sickle cell patients thrive and contribute tremendously to society.
Professor Aseye Djokotoe comes to her role as President and Executive Director of Sickle Cell Solutions International with a solid educational background, being equipped in several degree specializations in the areas of Family Studies, Criminology, Business Management, Sociology and Political Science, particularly around Public Administration. These credentials and academic preparations, coupled with her personal experience with sickle cell disease make her extraordinarily qualified to lead this organization.
having started her award-winning academic career as a tenure track assistant professor in 2004, earning tenure during the period and rising to the rank of full professor, Dr. Djokotoe has also demonstrated her administrative leadership skills by serving as Head of Department of Criminal Justice for four years, and then led the creation of a new academic unit by building the Criminal Justice Science Division, becoming the first Division Chair directly working under the College Dean as head of the academic unit from 2019 -2023. In this role, Dr. Djokotoe managed a unit with a team of between twenty and twenty-two Academics and a team of Administrative Staff, overseeing the development and full administration of multiple undergraduate and graduate programs within her unit. In 2020, Dr. Djokotoe founded the Western Restorative and Criminal Justice Research Center to promote collaborations with criminal justice and restorative justice organizations and agencies across the State of Oregon, and currently serves as the Director of the Center. She has also worked on acquiring grants both in and out of the United States and served on the boards of a few nongovernmental organizations in Oregon.
Before her arrival in the United States in 1996 after attending the University of Ghana, she worked directly with youth on the streets of Ghana through a UNICEF funded organization. With a passion for advancing her service to people around her, Dr. Djokotoe has authored a book and academic articles, worked extensively in with various groups making an impact in the community, given many talks, given academic presentations internationally on various subjects, and developed curriculum for college students, all in her efforts to advance real world education, and ensure that knowledge goes beyond the theoretical and is used to better the lives of people in society.
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Hilda M. Djokotoe. MS. is the Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Sickle Cell Solutions International. Having firsthand family experience with sickle cell disease, Hilda has a unique understanding of the support requirements for people living with chronic conditions. Hilda’s profession also prepares her with the skills needed to serve this population. Hilda has a Master of Science Degree in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling from Western Oregon University in the United States and serves as an Adjunct Professor for the Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling Program at Western Oregon University. She brings a combination of academic preparation and industry experience that make her ideal for this position. Her educational background, coupled with experiences both in the United States and internationally, working in Social Service professions, culminating in her current 11-year work experience (2023) as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor with the State of Oregon have led her to acquire significant experiences that have prepared her to effectively carry out the requirements of this role.
Hilda’s career experiences stem from her work as a seasoned Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor and previous work with diverse people with disabilities, both within the United States and the United Kingdom, combined with a rigorous academic preparation through Level 1 of Association of Certified Chartered Accountants, London, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Oregon State University. Hilda’s work in the United Kingdom included working as a support worker with the Avenues Support Trust in the United Kingdom, with young adults with learning disabilities helping them transition into their communities. She also worked with seniors as an advocate representing their interests on a team of professionals in designing individual interventions to achieve their independent living needs.
Where we work
Currently, we are focused on working within communities in Ghana, with plans to expand into the neighboring countries in the long term.
how we work
We use resources efficiently and sustainably by using volunteer healthcare providers in the local communities. We partner with community health nurses and medical professionals in local health centers in our target locations. We raise the needed funds to pay for travel and meals for volunteer health workers to make regular home visits and continue to partner with parents and caregivers of children with sickle cell disease in areas with limited access to healthcare. These local healthcare providers serve as resources on the ground to communicate next steps and strategies for maximizing the impact of our resources.
We also hold community education events in partnership with specialists to provide information to patients of all ages and their caregivers.
Who we serve
We work to support low-income children and adults living with sickle disease in different ways. We play a more hands-on role with babies and teenagers by providing tangible resources including food, access to medication, access to basic supplies that are hard to come by, and connections to healthcare systems.
For adults, we mainly provide education on self-care and connections to the appropriate healthcare partners to help them manage their condition for optimal health.
TOGETHER, WE CAN FIGHT SICKLE CELL DISEASE
Join us in our mission. Your generous involvement and contribution can fuel the change we wish to see in the world.
Every contribution brings us closer to a better future for children with sickle cell disease. Thank you for deciding to make a difference today.