A quick recap
Last month, we provided an update on our research and highlighted the national blood shortage.
What have we been up to this month?
This month, we discuss our work examining trends in sickle cell awareness over time and the hit Netflix show Supacell.
1. Using Google trends as a measure of disease awareness
As part of our comparative work on inequalities in sickle cell compared with cystic fibrosis and haemophilia, we are using Google Trends to explore interest in google searches for the three conditions between 2010 and 2023 in the UK. Our results will show how interest in sickle cell has changed over time and which condition is most frequently searched for month by month. These trends may be a proxy for awareness of these conditions within the general public, in parallel with our analysis of hospital admission data and other indicators of inequalities. Spikes in searches may coincide with key events or media highlights related to each condition.
2. Netflix raising awareness for sickle cell
On 27th June this year, the hit show Supacell premiered on Netflix. The superhero drama, created and produced by Andrew Onwubolu (known as Rapman), follows a group of black Londoners who develop superpowers triggered by sickle cell. Rapman told The Guardian that he “wanted [the show] to raise awareness and make people who’ve got sickle cell feel seen and heard”. Since the show’s release there has been spikes in google searches for sickle cell particularly in the week commencing 1st July when the show first held the number one spot on Netflix’s Global Top 10 English language TV shows and gained more than 18 million views in the first few weeks. The show has been important in raising awareness of sickle cell and the UK Sickle Cell Society has welcomed the success of the show and received around a 20% increase in inquiries.
3. September = Sickle Cell Awareness Month
September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month and so there will be a range of events in September to raise awareness of sickle cell. We will share these events throughout the month on our social media pages.
4. ‘SICKLE’ The Docufilm Premiere
In August, Fred – alongside John James from the UK Sickle Cell Society and several patients – has been involved in the recording sections for a documentary firlm (or docufilm) on sickle cell, which will be premiered on Wednesday 11th September. The docufilm, created by The Red Cell Network in partnership with Black Thrive Haringey, focuses on the history and impact of sickle cell. The premiere will be at the Everyman Cinema in Muswell Hill. Free tickets to the event can be obtained here.
5. Patient stories
We want these monthly blog posts to be useful to our readers. Over the last few months, we have had many interactions with people living with sickle cell and their stories are always really powerful. If you would like us to include a short paragraph about your lived experience with sickle cell, please do get in touch. Thank you!