In Loving Memory Of A Dear Colleague & Friend - Carol Ossai

“Sitting across from Carol at the ASCAT patient workshop the first time I met her, I had no idea I was in the presence of such a force of nature. Having founded the Sickle Cell and Young Stroke Survivor charity 15 years ago, she went on to help start the Global Sickle Cell Disease Association for Sickle Cell Patients and the Sickle Cell in Africa Patient Parent Network (SCAPPN). What I knew was that the warm serious person in front of me had a strong voice that commanded respect. A thoughtful and inclusive participant in the workshop, Carol was clearly an advocate for those who were not amongst us that day. Together, the group of 30 people living with sickle cell disease and their carers discussed and came to a consensus on the top research priorities that matter to them. Carol’s lifelong campaigning on behalf of the sickle cell community has had lasting effects on the treatments available to them to this day. She will be remembered for her ongoing impact on the care of people living with sickle cell disease in the UK and beyond. May she rest in Peace.”

Dr Noemi Roy
Consultant Haematologist, UK