Worldwide, around 300,000 babies are born each year with sickle cell disease, an inherited blood disorder that can cause severe pain and organ damage. Without access to the right treatment, three out of four children do not live beyond the age of five.

In the Netherlands, too, there are around 2,000 people living with sickle cell disease, more than half of whom are children. Severe pain attacks, anaemia and hospital visits can be part of their daily lives from a very young age.

Given our strong ties to the Caribbean, where many families are affected by sickle cell disease, we are keen to contribute to a better future for these children.

The first project we are supporting focuses on research into safer and more targeted stem cell transplants. Researchers are working on less invasive pre-treatment regimens, fewer complications and more options for children without a perfectly matched donor.

In this way, we aim to help ensure that more children have a chance of a cure and can grow up with less pain, fewer limitations and better prospects for the future.