Sickle Cell Anaemia advocate Anne Welsh, launched her new book PAIN-LESS on the 19th of June 2019 which coincided with World Sickle Cell Day.
The invite-only event took place in London. Anne’s family, friends, business associates, dignitaries and health practitioners all attended the Mayfair launch to support the sickle cell awareness cause.
Anne was interviewed live on stage by renowned journalist Mark Barton, former Bloomberg TV anchor and now a communication consultant. The event was anchored by BBC Presenter and Journalist Gbolahan Macjob. Speakers at the event included Dr. Kofi Anie, Hayley King represented her unexpectedly ill daughter Cianna King from Sickle Cell, Haroun Enoch a young Sickle Cell advocate from Democratic Republic of Congo, Professor John Porter and Rico Tice of All Souls Church. There were also video appearances by Zakareya Ebrahim Al Kadhem, a sickle cell advocate from Bahrain.
Anne, whose mission it is to bring about lasting awareness of the issues surrounding sickle cell and other chronic conditions, brought many guests to tears with the memories of her life and the challenges faced by having sickle cell disease since she was first diagnosed with the condition at three years old.
In her own words, “It’s hard to choose to be happy and find peace, particularly when you
suffer with a chronic illness”. Having a chronic illness can cause depression and anxiety due to the frustration of not being able to fulfil your own expectations, the threat of unemployment and just not being able to live life in the same way as those who are well. All of this can take a severe toll on your mental health.
Anne also spoke of her triumphs and how, after her difficulties at school, she managed to
shape her life for the better and attain both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree and start a career in banking despite suffering from the debilitating effects of sickle cell.
Pain-Less is not just a book for people suffering with sickle cell and their loved ones. This is a book for anyone who suffers from an ‘invisible illness’. This includes those whose outward appearance disguises the struggles they go through every day and Anne shares some of the valuable and hard-won lessons she has learned on how to cope with life. From how to be mentally strong and learning to accept your health reality to advice on how to help children and adolescents as they struggle to come to terms with the daily realities of their condition.
Although you may live in pain, you can find joy.
PICTURES FROM PAIN-LESS BOOK LAUNCH
