Andrea’s Angel Walk set for Sept. 6

East Kildonan

West Kildonan

Community members are invited to take steps to support Manitobans with sickle cell disease (SCD) by taking part in Andrea’s Angel Walk.

The upcoming rain-or-shine event is being held by the Sickle Circle of Manitoba — a non-profit organization focused on bettering the lives Manitobans living with the disease through advocacy, education and outreach.

The five-kilometre run/walk will be held at the fox shelter at Kildonan Park (2015 Main St.) on Saturday, Sept. 6, with registration beginning at 9 a.m. There will be opening ceremonies at 9:45 a.m., and the walk is scheduled to start at 10 a.m.

Organizers say funds raised from the this year’s Andrea’s Angel Walk will be used to support the circle’s next education session, as well as its ride share program — an initiative which helps alleviate the financial strain of hospital visits and appointments for Manitobans with the disease.

The event is named in honour of Andrea Ndukwu, who died of complications of the sickle cell disease at the age of seven in 2007. In a statement, Andrea is described as “a fierce sickle warrior and Winnipegger.”

Andrea’s sister, Beverly Ndukwu, is the founder and president of the Sickle Circle of Manitoba.

“This is our eighth annual walk, and it was inspired by my little sister, Andrea,” said Ndukwu, an actor who is currently living in Toronto, but was raised in East Kildonan. “She was a pillar of love and light … she was really such a great human being. Her light, love and sense of fun is what we wanted to bring to the walk, as well as bringing some visibility to the disease.”

Ndukwu — who also lives with the disease — said an estimated 6,000 Canadians live with SCD, which is an inherited disorder of the hemoglobin molecule within red blood cells that causes them to have a crescent, or sickle, shape. These cells aren’t effective in transporting oxygen and can cause severe painful and dangerous blockages in blood vessels, and complications can include stroke, blindness, and organ damage and infection, which can lead to regular hospital visits and life-threatening events, she said.

The Kildonan-East Collegiate alumna advocates a healthy lifestyle for those living with the disease, and she describes going to the gym as “a haven” for her own mental and physical health. This theme is mirrored by the upcoming walk, which is being held under the umbrella of Sickle Cell Awareness Month.

“I’m doing great at the moment, and I’m trying to stay as healthy as possible. Andrea’s Angel Walk is a great day to acknowledge sickle cell warriors,” Ndukwu said, adding there will be music, games, and prizes.

She emphasized sickle cell disease can affect people differently: “There’s no one-size-fits-all scenario. It’s very individualized, and like a snowflake — every one is different.”

Everyone is welcome at the Sept. 6 event, and prospective participants can either register in advance or on the day.

Guests at the event will include some of the doctors that work with the Sickle Circle of Manitoba, Ndukwu noted.

Go online at www.sicklecirclemb.com for more information, to register, or to donate.