SAMI Marks 18th Anniversary, Calls for Sustaining Toyin Adesola's Sickle Cell Legacy

SAMI Marks 18th Anniversary, Calls for Sustaining Toyin Adesola's Sickle Cell Legacy

As the Sickle Cell Advocacy and Management Initiative (SAMI) celebrates its 18th anniversary, stakeholders have renewed calls for sustained public and private support to preserve the legacy of its late founder, Toyin Ibidunni Adesola, whose pioneering advocacy transformed sickle cell awareness, healthcare access, and support for thousands of Nigerians living with the condition.

The Sickle Cell Advocacy and Management Initiative (SAMI) has marked its 18th anniversary with a renewed appeal for sustained support to continue the vision of its late founder, Toyin Ibidunni Adesola, widely remembered for her lifelong commitment to improving the lives of people living with sickle cell disorder.

In a commemorative tribute titled "As Toyin Adesola's Greatest Gift Turns 18, Sustaining SAMI is the Best Way to Honor the Sickle Cell General," SAMI's Communications and Program Manager, Yomi Oyelami, described the organisation as Adesola's greatest legacy and urged Nigerians to support its continued operations.

Founded in 2008, SAMI has grown from supporting a single sickle cell patient into one of Nigeria's leading nonprofit organisations dedicated to sickle cell healthcare, advocacy, education, and social empowerment.

According to Oyelami, the organisation has become a lifeline for thousands of individuals and families affected by sickle cell disorder through a range of healthcare interventions and awareness programmes.

Among its flagship initiatives is the Xtracare Free Medical Clinic, launched in 2014 to provide free medical consultations and medications for sickle cell warriors. The programme ran monthly for a decade and continued providing medication support even during the COVID-19 lockdown. Although it now operates periodically due to funding constraints, the clinic continues to serve beneficiaries across Lagos and other parts of Nigeria.

The organisation also introduced the Adopt-A-Warrior programme in 2019, connecting financially vulnerable sickle cell patients with sponsors who fund comprehensive private health insurance. The initiative has enabled more than 100 beneficiaries to access surgeries, blood transfusions, scans, Caesarean sections, and emergency medical care without financial burden.

Beyond healthcare, SAMI has played a significant role in public awareness and advocacy.

The organisation pioneered the annual Red Umbrella Walk to commemorate World Sickle Cell Day on June 19, bringing together thousands of participants to advocate for improved healthcare policies. The initiative has since been adopted by the Coalition of Sickle Cell NGOs.

SAMI also launched Nigeria's first weekly sickle cell-focused radio programme, Touch A Cell with Toyin and the Gang, which aired on Eko FM and Star FM for four years before evolving into Touch A Cell Lori Afefe on Bond FM to reach Yoruba-speaking audiences.

Other initiatives introduced by the organisation include the Touch A Cell Danceathon, Positive and Wellness Summit, Better You Health Hub, community health outreaches, and empowerment programmes designed to improve educational, career, and business opportunities for people living with sickle cell disorder.

Reflecting on Adesola's leadership, Oyelami said the organisation was built on three enduring values—faith, compassion, and audacity.

He noted that Adesola consistently encouraged people living with sickle cell disorder to pursue success without limitations, insisting that the condition should never define their potential.

He also highlighted SAMI's commitment to building lasting relationships with beneficiaries rather than offering one-off financial assistance, describing the organisation as a family built on empathy and shared purpose.

According to him, while SAMI welcomes people of all faiths, its resilience through difficult periods has been anchored on unwavering faith and a shared commitment to its mission.

As the organisation celebrates 18 years of impact, Oyelami appealed to individuals, corporate organisations, and development partners to support its programmes through regular donations and partnerships to ensure the sustainability of the legacy left behind by Toyin Ibidunni Adesola.

He said supporters could make monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, or annual contributions to help the organisation continue providing healthcare services, advocacy, and empowerment programmes for people living with sickle cell disorder.

SAMI said it remains committed to expanding access to quality healthcare and improving the quality of life of sickle cell warriors across Nigeria.