The SCAR Stories: A Visual Testimony of Sickle Cell Warriors exhibit, presented by Cayenne Wellness Center and Children's Foundation in collaboration with the Sickle Cell Community Consortium and the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, captures the untold stories behind the scars of those living with sickle cell disease. Launching with a special video montage on September 17, 2025, during the 17th Annual Sickle Cell Disease Educational Summit, the exhibit will officially open to the public from September 18–20, 2025, at the San Jose Marriott.
Through striking photography by Artfully Avant and bold storytelling by Dr. Patrise Holden, Scar Stories brings to light the physical and emotional scars, both visible and unseen, that sickle cell warriors carry. Each portrait honors the dual nature of scars as symbols of trauma and triumph, pain and perseverance. As one sickle cell warrior explained, "I chose to share my brain scar with the world because it's the one I'm most ashamed of. It also holds the story of what I've survived." The project represents more than an art exhibit; it is a movement of healing and truth-telling that redefines scars as marks of endurance, survival, and beauty.
The project is the first of its kind to explore and reveal the visible and hidden scars of sickle cell warriors across the nation. Through photography and storytelling, participants share their journeys of pain, resilience, and self-acceptance, offering the world a powerful glimpse into the strength of the sickle cell community. The exhibit is curated under the leadership of Carolyn Rowley, PhD, Executive Director of Cayenne Wellness Center, Heather Avant, Photographer, and Dr. Patrise Holden, Project Manager. Avant, who is both the photographer and a sickle cell warrior herself, describes the project as "a true visualization of the aftermath of sickle cell on the human body. As warriors, we bear the scars of battle."
The project was made possible through California State Funding awarded to Cayenne Wellness Center and Children's Foundation. Summit attendees receive free entry to the SCAR Stories Exhibit, while general guests are welcome with donations appreciated. Visitors can register through the official registration portal at https://bit.ly/cwcscarstoriesexhibit. This initiative matters because it challenges societal perceptions of disability and illness, transforming private suffering into public testimony that fosters understanding and reduces stigma. By centering the voices and experiences of those living with sickle cell disease, the exhibit creates a platform for education and empathy that could influence healthcare approaches, community support systems, and public awareness about this often-misunderstood condition.
The implications extend beyond the art world, potentially affecting how medical professionals view patient experiences, how policymakers allocate resources for sickle cell research and care, and how communities support individuals with chronic illnesses. The exhibit's focus on both visible and invisible scars acknowledges the comprehensive impact of sickle cell disease, validating experiences that are frequently minimized or overlooked. This public display of vulnerability and strength creates opportunities for dialogue that could lead to improved patient care, increased research funding, and greater social acceptance for the sickle cell community.
