Bringing sickle cell into schoolsMarie-Claire’s advocacy also extends to children whose education is repeatedly interrupted by illness. She wants teachers, school nurses, classmates and education decision-makers to understand sickle cell disease better. Challenging stigma and silenceThe physical effects of sickle cell disease are only part of the struggle. She also challenges the assumption that sickle cell disease should be dismissed as a condition affecting only one racial group. For Marie-Claire, sickle cell is not only a community-awareness issue.