Elevated experiences celebrating the culture through dance and rhythm
Elevated experiences celebrating the culture through dance and rhythm
Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Adekunle Gold proved once again that his impact extends far beyond the music charts. On June 20, 2026, the Grammy-nominated artist’s foundation hosted a powerful quarterly medical outreach at Akerele Medical Centre in Surulere, Lagos, delivering life-changing healthcare support to over 500 individuals living with sickle cell disease. Timed to commemorate World Sickle Cell Day, the event partnered with the Sickle Cell Advocacy & Management Initiative (SAMI) to provide comprehensive medical interventions including specialist consultations, diagnostic laboratory testing, crisis management, and three months’ worth of medications for beneficiaries.
The “High” crooner didn’t just lend his name to the cause—he showed up personally, connecting with families and sharing his own journey as a sickle cell warrior. “As a warrior, I was constantly told I couldn’t do several things because of my condition, but I never listened to them,” Adekunle Gold told attendees, particularly addressing the children and their parents. “Today, I want to encourage and remind you that you can be anything you want to be and your dreams are valid. At Adekunle Gold Foundation, our goal is to destigmatise the sickle cell disease, bring attention to it, and provide key support to help every warrior live a fulfilling life.” His presence and words carried extra weight, given that he publicly revealed his own sickle cell journey for the first time in 2022, transforming his platform into a beacon of advocacy.
The outreach held special significance as the first since the recent passing of SAMI founder Mrs. Oluwatoyin Adesola. Foluso Phillips, Chairman of the SAMI board, honored her legacy while emphasizing the critical importance of education and prevention. “The essence of SAMI is to try and educate people about not creating a situation whereby people with sickle cell will be born. That’s why blood screening is so important before people get engaged in any form of child rearing,” Phillips explained. “We are truly grateful to Adekunle Gold for his support in ensuring that this initiative continues to be a success.” The statistics underscore the urgency: Nigeria bears the world’s largest burden of sickle cell disease, with over 150,000 children born with the condition annually.
The foundation’s commitment extends beyond quarterly outreaches. In 2025, they launched the 5 Star Care initiative in partnership with the Lagos State Ministry of Health and Lagos State Health Management Agency, providing 1,000 sickle cell warriors with free health insurance coverage—ensuring sustained access to care within the state’s healthcare system. Through medical outreach programs, healthcare access initiatives, and global research collaboration, Adekunle Gold Foundation continues transforming lives while amplifying awareness about a disease affecting millions across the continent.
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