Welcome to the Andikan Sickle Cell Victory Foundation website. In honor of our beloved Andikan, we create this website to bring awareness to and raise support for Sickle Cell Disease. Currently there is no cure, but it was Andikan's wish and goal to work to find one.
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In His Own Words...
"Now that I've successfully transferred from Pima Community College to the University of Arizona, I can begin the next steps of my biomedical research career. I plan to finish my remaining undergraduate years here in Tucson, AZ and to graduate with a degree in Biochemistry (B.S.) and Molecular and Cellular Biology (B.S.). During these years, I want to begin researching in Genetics, specifically Gene therapy in Sickle-Cell Disease. Using this research and experience, I would like to apply to a graduate school to receive a PhD in Genetics.
It's not too often that people inflicted with the disease are also researching cures for it. It's strange that I have to thank the disease that's hospitalized me on many occasions, has also introduced and empowered me to pursue a career in science. When I was young, it exposed me to learning about the science behind my pain and introduced me to terms such as erythrocytes, hemoglobin, and alleles, etc.
Being hospitalized and suffering the effects of the Sickle-Cell helped create a fascination with it. I've read and have been a part of some of the tests researchers created to help patients. Seeing this cause and effect fueled me to become a part of it. From taking AP chemistry in high school to applying for internships in college at Research Corporation, I tried to learn everything I could from organic chemistry to physiology in hopes of applying it to research in Sickle-Cell. Through this, I've found a love for science that seems to spread from chatting with co-workers and customers about new discoveries in science to talking to other Sickle-Cell patients about the ongoing research about our disease.
I am very excited for the privilege to join the family of great researchers. I look to the future with great humility, passion and deep conviction with my desire to make a positive difference. I hope I can leave a mark, a positive and lasting contribution, perhaps find a cure for the disease that has given me inspiration."