Titilope Fasipe, MD, PhD: Treating and Living With Sickle Cell Disease

Not only does she treat sickle cell disease, but Titilope Fasipe, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Baylor College, also lives with it.

She was invited to watch a live performance that displayed what it's like to live with sickle cell disease. Phillip Okwo lives with the disease himself and decided to share his experience with the world and create Life Interrupted.

"By the time it got to the end, I was really emotional," Dr. Fasipe said. She shared what it was like for her to witness the performance first-hand.

The performance shows 4 different scenes that are based on real-life experiences from different times in Okwo's life, all in under 4 minutes. Actors play various roles in these experiences as well as the younger version of himself, but Okwo plays himself as an adult.

Each scene is an example of how a vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) or a "pain crisis" can interrupt the life of someone who lives with sickle cell disease. The pain crisis can start at any time. Not only do patients have to endure the pain, but also the anxiety that comes with it.

After the scenes are over, Okwo comes right off the stage and leads a thoughtful discussion with the doctors that just viewed the performance. Watch the full performance below.