7 Black Stars Suffering From Sickle Cell Anemia

Monday, June 19 is World Sickle Cell Day, observed each year to increase public awareness and understanding of the disease, which affects an estimated 100,000 Americans, including some of our favorite celebrities past and present, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Here are seven celebrities who have or have suffered from the disease.

The Love, Jones The actor is a national spokesperson for sickle cell anemia awareness and told WebMD, “It’s really important to know if you have the disease… If you can prevent the disease, you can really make a difference in someone’s life.”

The TLC member suffers from sickle cell anemia and, according to Biography, served as a spokesperson for the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America.

The former NFL player launched the nationwide health education campaign “Be Sickle Smart” to raise awareness of the disease, which disproportionately affects African Americans.

According to Rap-Up, the late Mobb Deep MC was diagnosed with sickle cell anemia as an infancy.

According to U Discover Music, Williams suffered from sickle cell anemia and often self-medicated with alcohol when the pain was too severe to perform.

According to his biography written by Jennifer Warner, the legendary jazz musician was diagnosed with sickle cell anemia in 1961.

Not only does the Super Bowl champion suffer from sickle cell anemia, his son is also a carrier of this trait. This prompted him to establish the III & Long Foundation “to raise awareness of the fight against sickle cell anemia and to provide financial support and treatment options to affected families.”

Learn more about sickle cell anemia here.