“A Sickle Cell Cinema Night” Tells Stories of Patience and Hope on World Sickle Cell Day

Manama – Bahrain Foundation for Dialogue:

Under the patronage of Mr. Suhail bin Gazi Al Qusaibi, Chairman of the Bahrain Foundation for Dialogue, the Bahrain Society for Sickle Cell Disease Patients organized the event “A Sickle Cell Cinema Night” last Sunday evening at EPEX Cinema in Dana Mall, as part of the activities marking World Sickle Cell Day.

The event featured a selection of short films that explored various aspects of life with sickle cell disease. These films highlighted the human experiences and daily challenges faced by patients, aiming to raise public awareness and foster empathy and support for this community.

Al Qusaibi affirmed that his attendance and support for the event stem from his appreciation for the vital role played by the Bahrain Society for Sickle Cell Disease Patients, and his belief in the importance of fostering human solidarity and supporting community initiatives that address the real-life challenges faced by individuals affected physically, psychologically, and socially. He also emphasized that art and media are powerful tools for raising awareness and driving positive change in society.

For his part, Mr. Zakaria Al-Kazem, Chairman of the Sickle Cell Society, expressed his sincere gratitude and appreciation to the sponsors, supporters, and participants of the event. He emphasized that such initiatives play a vital role in raising community awareness and challenging the prevailing stereotypes about individuals living with sickle cell disease. During the evening, he also announced the Society’s new slogan, “Sumou”, which embodies three core values that reflect the essence of its mission: Support, Responsibility, and Awareness.

The evening witnessed a notable turnout, including individuals interested in health and social affairs, as well as media professionals, artists, and representatives from civil society organizations. Attendees praised the importance of such impactful initiatives in breaking the silence surrounding the struggles of patients and in opening new avenues for communication and understanding.