Daily Inspiration: Meet Latia Bell

Today we’d like to introduce you to Latia Bell.

Hi Latia, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Sickle Cell Unsilenced is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the community and amplifying awareness around Sickle Cell Disease. When I founded the organization during my freshman year of college in 2018 at the University of Georgia, my mission was personal. As a teen living with Sickle Cell, I often felt isolated and different from my peers. I searched social media hoping to find other young people who understood what I was going through, but I rarely found anyone who shared my experience.
That gap inspired me to create a space where young individuals with Sickle Cell could feel seen, supported, and empowered. Each year, Sickle Cell Unsilenced raises funds to provide care packages filled with essentials for pediatric Sickle Cell patients in local Atlanta Pediatric hospitals during the winter holidays, as the cold season is particularly triggering for painful episodes. These packages include heating pads, blankets, pill organizers, gloves, water bottles, hand warmers, and a handwritten note of encouragement—a small but meaningful reminder that they are never alone and carry tremendous strength. These items help prevent and soothe Vaso-occlusive crises, aka pain crises. Pain crises occur when sickled cells become stuck within blood vessels, causing immense pain that can last hours, days, or even weeks at a time.
Since 2018, I have personally delivered care packages to more than 200 children during the Winter season, and I’m committed to reaching even more. I have delivered the packages to the Children’s Hospital of Atlanta at Hughes Spalding, Egleston (now Arthur Blank Hospital), and Scottish Rite Hospital. Sickle Cell Unsilenced continues to grow with the same purpose at its core: to uplift, educate, and remind every young warrior living with Sickle Cell that their voice matters and their journey deserves to be heard.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The journey hasn’t been easy. Balancing my commitment to Sickle Cell Unsilenced with the realities of living with Sickle Cell Disease can be incredibly challenging. I try to have packages delivered to Children’s Hospitals by the end of December to be aligned with the Christmas spirit, but this was not possible during the 2024 winter season. In November of that year, I was diagnosed with Acute Chest Syndrome and spent 3 weeks in the hospital. My stay included time in the ICU, sepsis, having my port removed, a red blood cell exchange, and many more obstacles. I had never fought so hard. Although I made a strong recovery, the process was very tough; breathing was harder and my body was very weak.
By the time I started to regain my strength, it felt too late to continue the initiative as planned… but Sickle Cell doesn’t sleep, and neither does the mission behind Sickle Cell Unsilenced. The illness does not only strike during the winter, and crises do not always have a specific trigger. Once I was well enough, I raised the necessary funds and delivered the winter care packages to pediatric patients across Atlanta—this time in March 2025. Even though the timeline changed, the purpose remained the same: to show every young warrior that they are cared for, remembered, and never alone.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Outside of my nonprofit work, I’m a first year optometry student at Drexel University’s Pennsylvania College of Optometry, which adds another layer to my mission. Living with a chronic illness while pursuing a demanding healthcare profession gives me a unique perspective. I understand what it feels like to be a patient, and I know how transformative compassionate, informed care can be. That perspective drives the empathy and dedication I bring to both my nonprofit efforts and my future career in eye care.

At age 13, I experienced a mini-stroke called a transient ischemic attack (TIA), and at 22, I had another—this time affecting the back of my eye. I completely lost vision in my left eye for several minutes. This is not uncommon for people living with Sickle Cell Disease. This lead to a series of doctor appointments with a retina specialist where I underwent laser treatment to address neovascularization and sickle cell retinopathy. Experiences like this are a reminder of how important eye health is for people with Sickle Cell. Regular dilated eye exams are essential for monitoring retinal changes and catching abnormalities early, before they permanently affect vision.

I’m truly excited to be in a position where I can connect Sickle Cell awareness with eye care management. Living with Sickle Cell and personally experiencing complications like sickle cell retinopathy has given me a deep understanding of how vital eye health is for our community. As I continue my journey in optometry school, I’m passionate about bridging these two worlds—educating patients, advocating for regular eye exams, and ensuring that those living with Sickle Cell receive the specialized vision care they deserve.

I am very proud of my diverse achievements. I have engaged in educational initiatives and community events. I have been featured as a guest speaker for Sickle Cell Education Day in Atlanta, and community events at my alma mater- the University of Georgia. I have served on the EMBRACE Sickle Cell Stakeholders Advisory Board for Georgia– a regional collaboration that implements strategies to improve quality of care for patients across the south. I have also been published in a newsletter for the American Academy of Pediatrics– Georgia chapter.

What I’m most proud of is the impact Sickle Cell Unsilenced has made so far—over 200 care packages delivered since 2018 with a voice still going strong for spreading awareness—and the personal resilience it took to keep the initiative alive, even through my own health challenges.
What sets me apart is that I don’t just advocate from the outside looking in; I live with Sickle Cell Disease myself, and I am deeply passionate about uplifting adolescents and young adults living with Sickle Cell. I want to be the person that I wish I had as a teenager. My work comes from a place of lived experience, sincerity, and a deep desire to uplift others navigating the same journey.

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I see a growing emphasis on community-based support for individuals living with Sickle Cell Disease—especially younger patients who often need more than just medical treatment. Mentorship is a major area I’m passionate about, as it is the very thing I looked for and couldn’t find as a teen living with Sickle Cell, and is my inspiration behind launching my nonprofit. While I will continue providing care packages to pediatric patients in Atlanta, my long-term goal is to expand the impact of Sickle Cell Unsilenced by creating mentorship opportunities, offering guidance to adolescents, and eventually reaching patients beyond Atlanta.

In addition, I anticipate a stronger focus on specialized healthcare services for people with Sickle Cell, particularly in areas like eye care. As I continue my journey through optometry school, I hope to play a role in this shift by providing dedicated eye care to Sickle Cell patients and highlighting just how essential regular eye exams are in preventing vision-related complications. My vision for the future combines advocacy, education, and specialized healthcare—all aimed at improving quality of life for the Sickle Cell community.

Pricing:

• Heating Pads $20-$25
• Blankets $10-$15
• Water Bottles $6-$10

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @SickleCellUnsilenced @La.tia

Image Credits
Some photos feature Dr. Jason Payne, Head of Pediatric Hematology at Hughes Spalding Children’s Hospital.