"I became a doctor because of my sickle cell journey."

Funmi grew up in and out of hospitals, but instead of fearing them, she was fascinated by the doctors and nurses who cared for her.

"I wanted to be like them—to help people, to heal, to bring hope," she says.

Today, Funmi is a medical doctor specializing in hematology, with a focus on sickle cell disease. She works at a major teaching hospital, treating patients who remind her of her younger self.

"Every patient I treat is a reflection of my own journey. I understand their pain, their fear, their hope. Being a patient gave me the perspective I needed to be a better doctor."

Funmi is also involved in research, working to find better treatments for SCD patients in Nigeria.