Voices of Sickle Cell Season 1, Episode 3 with Durreyl

Voices of Sickle Cell: Season 1, Episode 3 – A Conversation with Durreyl

Welcome back to another episode of Voices of Sickle Cell, a platform dedicated to amplifying the stories, struggles, and triumphs of sickle cell warriors while shining lights not often talked about outside of closed doors. Brought to you by LOVE & FASHION, this series is here to educate, inspire, and build a stronger, more connected community.

Durreyl, a sickle cell warrior living in Canada, was recently featured on Season 1, Episode 3 of Voices of Sickle Cell, a podcast hosted by Love & Fashion that centers the lived experiences of individuals navigating life with sickle cell disease. Her testimony paints a sobering picture of what it means to battle not only a chronic, invisible illness—but a healthcare system that often fails to meet her most basic needs.

As a child, Durreyl recalls receiving gentle and attentive care. But that care began to fade as she transitioned into adulthood. Her most harrowing experience came during a crisis in a Toronto hospital, where a nurse tranquilized her due to the severity of her pain. Instead of being met with empathy and urgency, Durreyl was subdued—denied IV fluids and oxygen, the very fundamentals of pain management and crisis intervention for sickle cell patients.

Her experiences are not isolated. In fact, many sickle cell warriors in other parts of the world, including the southern United States, report similar mistreatment, stigma, and medical neglect. As an advocate and patient from Louisiana myself, "This isn’t much different than what we see here. The protocols may change from region to region, but the underlying stigma is universal.”

When comparing the Canadian Health Act with the U.S. Patient’s Bill of Rights, both emphasize patient dignity, access, and informed consent. Yet in practice, sickle cell disease—a condition largely affecting Black and Brown individuals—often falls through the cracks. Medical professionals, unfamiliar with the disease or biased by stereotypes, may overlook or downplay the severity of a crisis. The result: trauma layered on top of chronic pain.

Durreyl also shared feedback about her experience with outpatient sickle cell care. Despite having access to a dedicated clinic, she felt deeply unsupported when it came to nutrition education and mental health. “We were never taught what to put in our bodies for our health,” she explained. Her mental health concerns were often answered with prescriptions rather than real support. She’s since stopped believing in psychiatric medications and dreams of a system where alternatives—like yoga, meditation, and holistic rehabilitation—are part of the recovery journey.

Her vision includes something rarely considered in traditional hospital settings: a yoga studio or wellness space inside rehab units where patients can begin to heal not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually.

Durreyl’s story underscores an urgent truth—sickle cell warriors are being underserved in multiple healthcare systems, from North America to across the globe. The disease may be invisible, but the impact of neglect is very real.

As healthcare leaders and advocates work toward better policies and equity in care, it’s voices like Durreyl’s that must lead the conversation. Not only does her story highlight what’s broken—it offers a vision for what compassionate, comprehensive care could truly look like.

Whitney Lyn

Watch the Full Episode

Be sure to watch the full interview in the video above and immerse yourself in the powerful story of a warrior who turned adversity into triumph.

Watch previous episode with

Zaron on season 1-episode 1 

Dana Whyte on season 1-episode 2

as he shared his story of a sickle cell warrior and advocate, who has made it his mission to guide young men away from the many pitfalls that lead to recidivism and fractured families. His journey is one of resilience, transformation, and hope.

From facing adversity head-on to reshaping his future and using his experiences to uplift others, Zaron shares invaluable insights on breaking cycles, overcoming systemic barriers, and embracing self-empowerment. This is a conversation you won’t want to miss!

Support the Cause

Donate Blood, Save Lives: Every donation has the power to make a difference. Help us continue saving lives by scheduling your blood donation today. Visit www.nybc.org/LF to find a location near you and be a hero to sickle cell warriors in need. Your donation of blood, plasma, and platelets can save up to three lives!

Shop & Support: While you're here, take a moment to visit our merch store at www.loveandfashionapparel.com. Your purchases directly support our efforts to raise awareness, fund vital initiatives, and bring hope to the sickle cell community. Every item you buy helps us continue this important work.

Creae the perfect event: Love & Fashion Bookings provides a large array of services that is designed to not only create an event that you will never forget but also give you a peace of mind, savings to your bank account and saving you time to allocate to other areas before your big day. Do it all with a smile as we donate 5% of all profits to sickle cell awareness. Visit us today at www.loveandfashion.nyc 

Join the Conversation

We’d love to hear from you! What part of Danas’s story resonated with you the most? Share your thoughts in the comments and help us spread the word. Let’s continue breaking barriers, supporting one another, and uplifting the sickle cell community—together.

Stay tuned for more inspiring episodes of Voices of Sickle Cell!

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