TRACER at World Sickle Cell Day 2025

On June 19th, World Sickle Cell Day 2025, our research group participated in raising awareness for sickle cell disease by engaging with patients, families, healthcare professionals, and members of the public at the event organized by the Sikkelcelfonds at ITA. Building on last year’s World Sickle Cell Day, when the exhibition You Can Never Feel My Pain was first opened, this year offered a meaningful opportunity to reconnect with its messages and to reflect on what they continue to evoke.

During the event, we shared voices of visitors who engaged with the exhibition last year. Many took the time to leave messages for people living with sickle cell disease: messages filled with empathy, solidarity, and genuine care. Visitors expressed how the exhibition helped them better understand the daily impact of pain, uncertainty, and resilience that often remains invisible.

We shared several of these messages written on cards and through a poster, creating moments of connection. The warmth and thoughtfulness of these responses underscored the importance of spaces that allow stories of sickle cell disease to be heard, felt, and acknowledged beyond clinical or scientific settings.

World Sickle Cell Day 2025 reminded us that research does not stand apart from society. By bringing together scientific findings, personal narratives, and public reflection, we reaffirmed our commitment to research that is not only rigorous, but also compassionate, inclusive, and grounded in the experiences of those most affected by sickle cell disease.