Winnipeg Walk Raises Awareness, Honours Young Girl’s Legacy in Fight Against Sickle Cell Disease
Winnipeg residents walked and ran in Kildonan Park on Saturday, bathed in sunshine, to raise awareness and funds for sickle cell disease research and support. The annual event is a tribute to Andrea Ndukwu,who passed away at age seven from the genetic blood disorder,and a celebration of the growing recognition of the condition in Manitoba.
Beverly Ndukwu, andrea’s sister, says the walk is a vital way to honor her sister’s “bright and angelic spirit” and to continue advocating for those living with sickle cell disease - a condition Beverly herself also has. Sickle cell disease disproportionately affects people of African, Mediterranean, and South Asian descent, causing chronic pain, organ damage, and reduced life expectancy. While historically under-recognized, awareness and access to care are expanding, with Manitoba taking recent steps to improve early detection and support.
Ndukwu noted the increasing awareness of sickle cell disease in the nearly 18 years since her sister’s death. A notable milestone was reached last year when Manitoba Health added sickle cell testing to its routine newborn screening program. This addition allows for earlier diagnosis and intervention, potentially improving outcomes for affected infants.
The province officially recognized September as Sickle Cell Awareness Month for the first time this year, marked by the attendance of Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara at Saturday’s event.
“There’s always sun at some point, no matter what the forecast is.I think that’s Andrea,” Ndukwu said, reflecting on the consistently sunny weather during the annual walk. “She was just such a ray of sunshine.”
