Real stories. Real impact.

Real Minnesota warriors.

Sickle Cell Warrior Photoblogs are supported in part by the MN Sickle Cell Data Collection Program (MN-SCDC) and brought to you in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Sickle Cell Data Collection Project (SCDC), MN Department of Health (MDH) and Sickle Cell Foundation of MN (SickleCellMN)

Treyvon:

The Inspiration Behind SickleCellMN

Despite the challenges of living with sickle cell disease, Trey says he stays healthy by remembering things he learned as a kid and trying to remember to take his medications. He also says: “I stay encouraged by working and being around family. I also depend on God a lot”

👉 Click each video to learn more

Virnetra Brown:

🧬 Reclaiming Possibility Through Gene Therapy

At just nineteen years old, Virnetra Brown has already walked a journey marked by pain, strength, and transformation. Living with sickle cell disease meant frequent hospitalizations, missed milestones, and the emotional weight of feeling different. Grounded by the unwavering support of her mother and her own inner practices of prayer and affirmation, Virnetra learned how to navigate a life that often felt unpredictable.

When she chose to undergo gene therapy, everything changed. The process challenged her physically and emotionally, but it also opened the door to a future she once couldn’t imagine. Today, Virnetra is exploring new dreams—including a path in healthcare—guided by a renewed sense of hope and control over her life. Her story represents a powerful intersection of lived experience and emerging innovation within the MN-SCDC program, a partnership between MDH, CDC SCDC, and the Sickle Cell Foundation of Minnesota.

👉 Learn more: Download Virnetra’s full story

Marvin Banks:

Living Beyond Limits

Marvin Banks has lived a life shaped by sickle cell disease—and defined by resilience. Diagnosed as a young child alongside his twin sister, whom he later lost to the disease, Marvin grew up navigating pain, uncertainty, and a healthcare system that did not always listen. Yet, through faith, family, and determination, he defied early medical expectations and built a full life as a husband, father, and creative spirit. His journey reflects both the harsh realities of sickle cell disease and the power of perseverance in the face of it.

Today, Marvin uses his voice to advocate for better understanding, compassionate care, and a future where no one has to endure what he has experienced. His story reminds us that behind every data point is a life, a legacy, and a call to action. This story is part of the Minnesota Sickle Cell Data Collection (MN-SCDC) Program, in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), CDC SCDC, and the Sickle Cell Foundation of Minnesota.

👉 Learn more: Download Marvin’s full story

More stories are on the way.

At SickleCellMN, we know that traditional data only tells part of the story—but lived experience tells the truth. Every warrior story is a powerful reflection of resilience, identity, family, faith, and the everyday realities of navigating systems that weren’t built with us in mind.

Across Minnesota, our warriors are students, leaders, caregivers, advocates, and innovators—living full, complex lives while managing sickle cell disease. Their voices matter. Their stories shift narratives. Their experiences are not just personal—they are community data, shaping how we educate, advocate, and build better systems of care.

Through our SCDC PhotoBlog partnership with the Minnesota Department of Health, we’re lifting up real voices from across our community. At SickleCellMN, lived experience is powerful data—and our warriors’ stories inform, challenge, and drive change.

Stay tuned—and if you’re ready to share your story, we’re ready to listen.