Veteran Nollywood actress and evangelist, Eucharia Anunobi, has spoken about the heartbreaking loss of her son after years of battling sickle cell disease.
The actress shared the emotional story while appearing on the Honest Brunch Podcast, where she reflected on her experience as a mother raising a child diagnosed with the SS genotype.
Anunobi explained that the challenge began shortly before her son turned one when he suddenly fell ill and doctors discovered he had sickle cell disease after conducting medical tests.
Tearfully she said, “Just before my son was one year old, he fell ill and I took him to the hospital. They checked his genotype and said he was SS, and there started the battle of my life.”
She revealed that from that moment, she began searching extensively for ways to manage the condition, learning everything she could about caring for a child living with sickle cell disorder.
“I started going everywhere. I started looking for medication, reading about herbs and studying everything about what it means to take care of an SS child.”
The actress added that she had to become familiar with strict health precautions in order to protect her son’s wellbeing.
“I started understanding that they can’t stay where there is dust or where there is heat. My son never drank pure water,” she added.
Despite the difficulties they faced, Anunobi said the years she spent raising her son remain among the most meaningful moments of her life.
“I’m grateful that God gave me the opportunity to be a mother. The joy of having nurtured a child for 16 years, six months and 22 days — those years were one of the most glorious years of my life,” she said.
She added that the experience ultimately strengthened her faith and brought her closer to God.
She said, “I’m grateful to God for making me a mother, and I learnt so much in the course of taking care of him. It deepened my relationship with God.”
