Episode Three: Living with Sickle Cell
Listen to episode three
Episode length: 23:42
What is it like to have sickle cell? Hear stories and experiences from the people navigating the unpredictability of the disease. It’s clear that when it comes to treatment, understanding the human side of medicine is just as important as clinical expertise.
Episode Three: Living with Sickle Cell
Brooklyn Haynes has been receiving care for sickle cell disease at Benioff's Children's Hospital Oakland since she was a child. 
Brooklyn thinks of Benioff Children's care providers almost like family. 
Brooklyn with her boyfriend, Julian Gauthier. 
Brooklyn at work in her Oakland studio space. Featured people
-
Akintunde (Tunde) Ahmad
Tunde is a multimedia journalist focused on the intersection of education, economic inequality, and the justice system. An East Oakland native, he holds a BA in sociology from Yale University and an MS in journalism and documentary film from Columbia University.
-
Jazz Amira Hardrict
Jazz Amira Hardrict was born in Torrance, CA, and spent a lot of her days in UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland. As a child, she performed in Rent, Aladdin, Dream Girls, and Funny Face at Skyline High School in Oakland. She was a member of the Imani Community Church, serving in the children’s choir, dance ministry, usher board, and children’s church.
-
Brooklyn Haynes
Brooklyn is an Oakland native and has been a patient at Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland since she was two-months old. She considers her Oakland medical staff as family. Brooklyn is passionate about sharing her sickle cell experiences with others, and recently started her own Instagram support group for adults with sickle cell disease.
-
Jan Hunter
Jan Hunter is an Oakland resident originally from Los Angeles, CA. She holds a BA in Drama from the University of Houston, an MA in Education from UCLA, and an MA in Teaching the Arts. She is newly retired after teaching for 40 years as Director of the Performing Arts Academy as well as the Director of the award-winning theater department at Skyline High School in Oakland. She made many contributions to commercials and films, including the Original Soul Train, Boyz in the Hood, Sister Act, Angels in the Outfield, and Made in America.
-
Christabel Nunoo
Christabel is a first-generation Nigerian/Ghanaian-American opera singer and Oakland creative. She first discovered her love for music in her youth as a member of The Young Musicians Program and went on to study classically at The University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre and Dance. Through her art, she hopes to facilitate healing within her community and inspire change-makers in society.
Other episodes
Episode One: The Challenge of Sickle Cell
Episode Two: Why Oakland?
Episode Four: The CRISPR Breakthrough
Episode Five: What Comes Next?
Episode Six: Love Finds a Way