A Warrior's Promise:
The Ruby Ball Foundation was created to bring hope and create a voice in the silence for individuals living with sickle cell. Founded by Ijeoma Azubuko, a sickle cell advocate and warrior who grew up in a household where she not only battled sickle cell, but witnessed her twin brother, and younger sister struggle through the illness as well. She saw first hand what it was like to be a caregiver and a patient, as she watched her parents struggle to navigate care for not 1, but 3 sick children, and her siblings helpless in pain. Growing up it was considered a stigma to have sickle cell and it wasn’t anything you shared with anybody out of fear of being judged or seen as inadequate by people that don’t understand the illness.
Ebony called Ijeoma on the phone that night to check in on her with the start of Sickle Cell Awareness Month. This was the year Hurricane Harvey had hit Houston and Ebony was sharing a story about how the hurricane had motivated her to get more involved in the community and to finally finish writing her book about her life with sickle cell and she wanted Ijeoma to be a contributor to the book to share her story as well to inspire and encourage others. Hurricane Harvey showed her that even in the midst of a storm, there was still so much we have to be thankful for.
The idea for the Ruby Ball came about after the passing of a close friend of the founder. Her friend, Ebony Lanier who also suffered from sickle cell disease, lost her battle with sickle cell in October of 2017. Ebony was a huge advocate for the disease and was never afraid to share her story! Ebony was very knowledgeable about sickle cell and was very instrumental in helping Ijeoma to better understand the illness and how to cope. They would help motivate one another whenever they felt discouraged or defeated from the illness. The month before Ebony passed Ijeoma was on her way to an advocacy event for sickle cell disease. She had always wanted to host a charity gala to bring awareness to sickle cell, but fear of judgement and lack of vulnerability would always set in.
They began to speak about how blessed they were despite their bout with sickle cell and vowed that day to get more active in the sickle cell community to help motivate others living with the illness that may not be as fortunate, or that may feel alone. Ijeoma hung up the phone with Ebony invigorated and ready to get more involved. That night was a pivotal turning point for both of them. Ebony wanted to be a voice for countless others who continue to battle this disease in silence. After Ebony’s passing Ijeoma vowed to be that voice. The Ruby Ball Foundation continues the legacy of those we have lost, and it gives a voice to those still fighting!
I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.
Mother Teresa
The Cause
Sickle cell disease, often referred to as a silent disease, is a life-threatening illness affecting millions of people worldwide, with over 100,000 individuals suffering from the disease living in the US alone. It is an inherited blood disorder that occurs when normal, round-shaped blood vessels become ridged, sticky, and sickle shaped. When this happens, the blood cells meant to circulate oxygen throughout the body actually block the flow of blood and oxygen. This leads to severe pain crisis, anemia, gastric issues, crippling joint pain, bone and muscle. Those with sickle cell disease are affected not only physically, but mentally and emotionally as well.
I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.
Mother Teresa
Our Mission
Create a voice in the silence by promoting awareness, while empowering and improving the quality of life for individuals living with sickle cell disease around the world by:
Establishing Partnerships
Establishing partnerships with other organizations to create unity and a stronger platform for sickle cell advocacy
Advancing Research
Advance research to help identify a universal cure for sickle cell
Hosting Educational Events
Hosting fun educational events for the community
Creating Platforms
Creating a platform where sickle cell warriors can share their story to motivate and inspire other people living with sickle cell
Our Goal
Our goal through the Ruby Ball is to raise awareness— not just for sickle cell, but for those affected in the communities. We will spotlight individuals living with the disease, their journey, and how they cope. Additionally, we will engage the medical community and encourage the general public to learn more about how they can take a stand against sickle cell. Through these means, we seek to raise the funding needed to improve care and the research necessary to find a universal cure for sickle.
Meet our Board of Directors and Advisors
Ijeoma Azubuko
President & COO
Christina Scott
Director of Operations
Irene Okeke
Director of Finance
Dami Okuboyejo
Business Advisor
Ashley Smith
Marketing & Communication Advisor
Chioma Azubuko
Digital Media Advisor