18/09/2026
“YOU WILL DIE AT 21.” That’s what they told me. So I asked myself, why should I even dream?
This is the story of DJOMO Prudence, from the Littoral Region, Communication Officer at BSC, and a sickle cell warrior.
Like many of you, I discovered Break Sickle Cycle (BSC) on social media. At the time, I was following many associations, but one post stopped me. It was a publication by Mr. Chamby on the page “Révèle-toi et avance”. Days later, I saw the same post on the Break Sickle Cycle page. That was the click. My curiosity became interest, and my interest became a journey.
Before BSC, my view of life and of sickle cell was completely different. I honestly believed that a person living with this disease could never truly excel. Yes, we can have dreams and ambitions, I thought, but our health will always be the wall that stops us.
I didn’t know that people living with sickle cell could achieve great things through courage and determination. In my community, all I heard was:
« These people die before 21 years, they don’t live for long. »
Hearing it every day, I started to believe it. I withdrew into myself, trapped by one question: “Why should I fight if I am destined to die at 21?”
Loneliness, despair, lack of self-confidence became my reality. And there was the endless medical routine — blood transfusions sometimes every month because my hemoglobin was too low, antibiotics every first week of the month to prevent infections. That was my life before BSC.
Then I joined Break Sickle Cycle. And everything changed.
My thoughts changed. My vision of life changed. My attitude changed.
Through BSC, I joined a prayer group that strengthened my faith, my courage, and my determination. I learned so much about myself.
Today I know: Sickle cell is part of my journey, but it does NOT define my abilities, my intelligence, my dreams, or who I am meant to become.
I learned to dream bigger. I learned to face pain differently. Now when pain comes, I speak to it:
“You, pain, you, disease, you may have reached my body, but you will have neither my consciousness nor my spirit.”
What has BSC brought me? More than I can list:
* Self-confidence and determination
* A big family and new encounters
* The courage to express myself
* New knowledge, skills and opportunities
* A true sense of belonging and solidarity
* A clear vision for my future
* Hope, motivation, and the power to turn my pain into impact
Today, my ambition is to go even further with BSC and to hold the hand of others living with sickle cell, to show them that they can dream big and refuse to let the disease write their future.
My deep gratitude to Break Sickle Cycle and to everyone who supports us. Thank you to the President for her leadership and trust. And a special thank you to Mr. Chamby — your post is what led me here.
I won’t name everyone, the list is too long, but each of you contributed to my transformation.
Today I can say it with conviction:
Thanks to Break Sickle Cycle, my vision has changed. I no longer see sickle cell as the end of my dreams, but as the beginning of my strength.
Together, let’s break the cycle.
Because behind every person living with sickle cell, there is a story, dreams, ambitions and potential just waiting to shine.
The disease may be part of our story, but it should never write our destiny.
And to conclude this beautiful testimony, we, the BSC family and the Warriors community, would like to take this opportunity to wish our dear DJOMO Prudence a very happy birthday.
May this new year of your life be filled with grace, strength, good health, courage, opportunities and beautiful victories. May the Lord Jesus continue to guide your steps, strengthen your faith and use your story to inspire many other Warriors.
Happy Birthday, Prudence! Keep dreaming, keep shining, keep inspiring. Your story is far from over.
