An Ealing Woman Talks About the Challenges of Sickle Cell

Laurel Brumant-Palmer has had the condition since she was three

Laurel has lobbied for a better understanding and treatment of the disease

July 21, 2025

Sickle cell advocate Laurel Brumant-Palmer was first diagnosed with the de-habilitating condition as a three-year-old and has spent a lifetime fighting pain and prejudice.

She has described how as a child she had to come to terms with living with a painful and incurable life-long condition

“I call myself the miracle child,” laughs the 61-year-old campaigner from Ealing who spent decades in and out of hospital but refuses to be defined by her condition.

“I do not want it dictating what I can and cannot do. The mental aspect of managing sickle cell is especially important. I tell people to try and not to be defined by their condition.”

Sickle cell affects the Black community and is a genetically inherited disorder where red blood cell’s ability to transport oxygen around the body are severely impaired.

This leads to excruciating bouts of pain, damage to bones and organs and other complications such as stroke.

Laurel added, “A lack of understanding about sickle cell means a lot of the community are unfairly labelled as aggressive, confrontational drug seekers when they arrive in hospital.

“The reality is we are often in horrendous pain and made to wait longer than necessary for medication that can’t take away the pain but can take the edge off it.”

One of the most inspirational people Laurel met as a child patient was Elizabeth Anionwu, a pioneering nurse who helped open the UK’s first dedicated sickle cell centre at Central Middlesex Hospital in the 1970s.

Laurel said, “Hospital staff did not know a lot about sickle cell at the time and often thought patients were exaggerating their condition.

“Strong painkillers were given every 4-5 hours but once they wore off before the next dose was administered, I had to endure a pain that cannot be put into words.

“Elizabeth saw something was wrong and dedicated her life to doing something about it. Empathy and kindness go a long way, and she was a godsend for many of us.”

Laurel’s last major crisis was two-and-a-half years ago and was marked by a seven hour wait in an ambulance outside A&E before a nurse finally provided pain relief.

Laurel and patient members of the group ‘Strength in Sickle’ wrote to trust chief executive Pippa Nightingale with a list about how the hospital could better manage patients and the way they were having to deal with a lack of empathy, poor patient care and, is some cases, racism.

They also highlighted the fact that they had previously been asked to take part in reviews but were rarely given feedback.

Laurel said, “Pippa did listen and it is a work in progress. The wish list included greater staff awareness of sickle cell, mandatory training for nurses and faster administration of pain relief.”

In response, the hospitals’ A&E departments recently teaming up with the London Ambulance Service (LAS) to prioritise the need of sickle cell patients in crisis with analgesics given within 30 minutes.

Laurel, a former school art technician, was forced to take ill health retirement two years ago but is busier than ever.

She is involved in various support groups including the Sickle Cell Alliance with Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust which encourages patients to take part in clinical trials and research.

Laurel also maintains a busy presence on social media, supporting, advocating, raising awareness, creating, and sharing artwork shaped by her experience of living with the disorder.

She also highlights the importance of sickle cell support and working groups and the need for the Black community to drive positive constructive change including more blood donors.

“I’d like my legacy to be that I helped make things easier for the next generation of patients including campaigning for sickle cell to be officially recognised as a disability.”