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Panel Host
Panel Host
Jomaesia Paylay
Panel Host | Vice Principal | Sickle Cell Warrior
Jojo is an accomplished elementary school vice principal with extensive experience in educational leadership, advocacy, and community engagement. Known for her thoughtful approach and strong commitment to equity and wellness, she brings a grounded and inspiring presence to every conversation she leads.
A Sickle Cell Warrior, Jojo embodies resilience and courage. Her personal journey fuels a powerful advocacy for awareness, improved care, and systemic change around chronic illness. As panel host, she commands the space with empathy and insight, elevating critical voices and inspiring transformative dialogue.
Jojo is dedicated to elevating voices, fostering understanding, and driving meaningful change through open and impactful conversations.
Panelist
Dr. Patience Camille Dono Franklin, MD. M.Sc. MLCPS (Paeds), FWACP (Paeds)
Dr. Patience Camille Dono Franklin, MD. M.Sc. MLCPS (Paeds), FWACP (Paeds)
Dr. Patience Franklin is a seasoned pediatrician with over a decade of experience advancing child health in resource-limited settings, particularly Liberia. She currently serves as a Consultant Pediatrician at John F. Kennedy Medical Center and a lecturer at the University of Liberia. A leader in national pediatric health initiatives, Dr. Franklin has played a pivotal role in programs like newborn screening for sickle cell disease and pediatric death audits, in collaboration with the WHO. A Fellow of the West African College of Physicians, she also holds a Master’s in International Public Health from Liverpool John Moores University, with further training from institutions including Harvard and Boston University. Dr. Franklin is a published researcher, mentor, and passionate advocate for improving pediatric care in West Africa.
Panelist
Musu D. Kamara
Musu D. Kamara
Musu D. Kamara is a passionate feminist, social change advocate, and environmentalist with over nine years of experience in youth and gender advocacy across West and Central Africa. She currently serves as the Regional Youth Engagement Officer at Plan International, bringing expertise in feminist policy, youth leadership, and safeguarding vulnerable groups. A 2021 Nobel Women’s Initiative fellow, Musu is trained internationally in gender equality and community development. Her work centers on empowering young people, advancing women’s rights, and promoting sustainable, inclusive development across the region.
Panelist
Wegee Melvin Taylor
Wegee Melvin Taylor
Wegee Melvin Taylor is the Co-Founder of the Sickle Cell Association of Liberia (SICAL) and a passionate advocate for individuals living with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). A proud Liberian, Wegee brings over 15 years of experience in community development and child protection.
Living with Sickle Cell Disease for more than 39 years, his personal journey of resilience has deeply informed his professional path. Driven by a lifelong commitment to improving the lives of fellow warriors, Wegee has spent the past five years serving as the Program Manager of SICAL. In this role, he has led advocacy efforts, developed impactful programs, and implemented projects designed to support and empower individuals affected by SCD across Liberia.
His work is rooted in both pain and purpose—a dedication to “protecting the red blood cell” and transforming suffering into solutions for a more inclusive and compassionate healthcare system.
Panelist
Amelia Bass
Amelia Bass
Mrs. Amelia S. Bass a resident of Duport Road, Zubah Town, is the devoted mother of Clarissa E. Avorkliyah, a 38-year-old married warrior living with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). Clarissa’s journey has been marked by the many complications SCD brings—chronic pain, frequent hospitalizations, and emotional and physical challenges that often hinder the dreams and success of those affected. Faced with the uncertainty and lack of awareness surrounding the disease at the time, Mr. and Mrs. Bass made the difficult decision not to have more biological children, choosing instead to pour their love into raising others as their own.
Through it all, Mrs. Bass has been a pillar of strength—raising her daughter with unwavering faith, the guidance of compassionate doctors, and the shared wisdom of fellow parents navigating the same path. Her story is a testament to resilience, love, and the power of a mother’s devotion in the face of adversity.
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