Our Story
How one life changed the way we fight sickle cell.
Born from loss. Built for hope.
Why BASC Initiative exists
The Bunmi Akinsola Sickle Cell Initiative was conceived after the death of Bunmi Akinsola, a vibrant young woman from Ibadan North East Local Government who died from a sickle cell crisis. Her death could have been avoided if she had been able to reach the kind of support that organisations like ours now provide.
Established in March 2023, BASC Initiative is a not-for-profit organisation that helps people living with sickle cell disease manage their crises, supports their medical bills with drugs and other aids, and works to open the door to a permanent cure through bone marrow transplant.
Giving Beauty for Ashes.
What we do
Four ways we help
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Manage crises
Medical and psychological support so that no warrior faces a crisis alone.
💊
Support medical bills
Help with drugs and other aids for those who cannot afford them.
🎓
Prevent
Advocacy and genotype education in schools, churches and communities.
🧬
Work toward a cure
Opening access to bone marrow transplant, the only widely available cure.
Vision & Mission
Where we are going, and how we get there.
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Our Mission
To provide a platform for the proper management of people living with sickle cell disease and the prevention of the disease through advocacy, education, medication, empowerment and research.
✦
Our Vision
A Nigerian society, and an Africa, free from all sickle cell diseases.
Aims & Objectives
What we have set out to do
Significantly reduce the death of sickle cell patients in Nigeria within the next 20 years.
Sensitise and raise awareness on how to prevent sickle cell births and manage the crises of carriers.
Increase access to necessary medical and psychological support for patients of every age, religion and ethnic background.
Advocate for the rights of sickle cell patients against stigmatisation and other abuses.
Collaborate with relevant government agencies and other sickle cell advocacy organisations.
Set up the largest sickle cell centre in Ibadan, Nigeria.
Our journey
From one loss to a growing movement
March 2023
BASC Initiative is established in Ibadan, born from the loss of Bunmi Akinsola.
7 September 2023
Community awareness campaign at Ojoo Bus Terminal, one of Ibadan’s busiest transport hubs.
1 and 10 March 2024
Know Your Genotype reaches Kingdom Advancement College, Akobo, and Riverside Victory Christian Centre.
20 March 2024
Courtesy visit to the Honourable Commissioner of Health, Oyo State.
8 June 2024
Maiden Volunteers Symposium at UI Hotels, Ibadan, and the formation of four volunteer teams.
19 and 22 June 2024
World Sickle Cell Day: a nutrition health talk at our office and a blood donation drive at UCH that yields 25 screened pints.
July to October 2024
Know Your Genotype school outreaches at Ikolaba High School, Ikolaba Grammar School (985 students) and Loyola College (1,250 students).
Late 2024
One-year anniversary and launch of our maiden magazine, The BASC Voice.
2025
More school outreaches (Emmanuel, Methodist, Hillcrest, International School), World Sickle Cell Day 2025 and our second anniversary gathering.
October to November 2025
Outreaches continue at Bashorun Ojoo, Islamic High School, Bishop Onabanjo and Baptist College.
Meet the people behind the mission
Doctors, nurses, educators and volunteers united by one goal.
Partners that make it all possible
