Arik Air raises millions for sickle cell disorder

Arik Air has raised over five million naira for the Sickle Cell Foundation of Nigeria to continue with its sickle cell disorder intervention work. The sum was raised in just five months beginning October 2014.

Speaking with Oseyiza Oogbodo Blog during a media parley by SCFN to inform the nation that Arik Air is helping in the battle against sickle cell disorder, Siva Ramachandran, Arik Air’s Senior Vice President – Commercial, said they decided to help SCFN raise money through donations by their passengers when they found out that sickle cell disorder is a huge burden on Nigeria.

“When we had the first meeting with SCFN, we didn’t know much about sickle cell disorder. But after they explained all about it to us, and how many children are born yearly with it, we realised it needs urgent attention as it affects generations so we must find a way to control it. And as a responsible airline, we must support it so we decided on a constant rather than one-time support.”

Also speaking, SCFN’s founder, Professor Olu Akinyanju, commended Arik Air for their support, saying it would go a long way to help SCFN in tackling sickle cell disorder through its mediation services which include diagnostics and research, among others.