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Our Vision

Care and Dignity for People Living with SCD.

Our Mission

To improve the health and wellbeing of PLSCD and their households in Kenya.

ABOUT US

Our Founding History

Early Beginnings: The 10003 Warrior Project
Lea began her journey in SCD advocacy during her third year at university through the 10003 Warrior Project, which documented the stories of 400 Kenyans living with the disease. Confronted with issues like poor medical access, stigma, and isolation, especially in rural areas, Lea was deeply moved. This experience sparked her passion and laid the groundwork for her ongoing mission to tackle the systemic challenges faced by those with SCD.

Founding ASCO: A Response to a Calling
In 2018, driven by the 10003 Warrior Project, Lea founded the Africa Sickle Cell Organisation (ASCO) to address the lack of SCD diagnosis and treatment in rural Africa. ASCO aimed to bridge healthcare gaps by connecting communities with medical support, marking the start of her long-term commitment to health equity.

Post-University Advocacy: A Deeper Commitment
After graduating, Lea chose advocacy over a traditional career, working both in rural communities and policy circles. She educated families, lobbied for resources, and made a pivotal move back to her ancestral home to deeply understand the challenges faced by SCD patients. This experience profoundly shaped her advocacy approach.

The Three Pillars of Her Vision

From her experiences, Lea identified three critical pillars to help SCD patients not just survive, but thrive:

Affordable, Accessible Care

She recognized that many rural patients lacked basic medical resources—hospitals were too far, medications too expensive, and doctors too few. ASCO began initiatives to bring mobile clinics, affordable drugs, and trained healthcare workers to these underserved areas.

Addressing Social Challenges

CD affects more than just the body—it strains families, limits education, and isolates individuals due to stigma. Lea worked to create support systems, including counseling for caregivers and awareness campaigns to reduce discrimination.

Advocacy at All Levels

She understood that lasting change required amplifying patients’ voices. Whether speaking to village elders or international health organizations, Lea pushed for policies and funding to prioritize SCD care.

These pillars became the backbone of ASCO’s mission and a blueprint for her innovative approach to tackling the disease.

Educational Foundation: Building Credibility

Lea combines hands-on experience with strong academic credentials, holding a business degree and a master’s in global health delivery. This blend of skills enabled her to effectively lead ASCO and unite communities, governments, and NGOs in the fight against SCD.

A Decade of Impact: Reshaping SCD Care

Over the past decade, Lea has revolutionized SCD care in rural Africa through ASCO, launching programs in health worker training, subsidized treatment, and youth education. Her efforts have built a rare, collaborative health ecosystem, saving lives and driving a wider movement for health equity across the continent.