An Art Exhibit Honoring the Scars, Stories, and Strength of Sickle Cell Warriors
SAN JOSE, CA, September 08, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Cayenne Wellness Center and Children's Foundation, in collaboration with the Sickle Cell Community Consortium and the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, proudly presents SCAR Stories: A Visual Testimony of Sickle Cell Warriors, a groundbreaking art exhibit that captures the untold stories behind the scars of those living with sickle cell disease.
Launching with a special video montage on September 17, 2025, at 12:50 PM PST during the 17th Annual Sickle Cell Disease Educational Summit, the exhibit will officially open to the public from September 18–20, 2025, 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM at the San Jose Marriott.
Opening Reception: September 17, 2025, 12:50 PM PST
Exhibit Dates: September 18–20, 2025 | 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM PST
Location: San Jose Marriott, 301 S. Market Street, San Jose, CA 95113
Summit attendees receive free entry to the SCAR Stories Exhibit. General guests are welcome, with donations appreciated.
Register here: https://bit.ly/cwcscarstoriesexhibit
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.
"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." – A.W., Sickle Cell Warrior
Scar Stories is more than an art exhibit; it is a movement of healing and truth-telling. By transforming scars into powerful visual testimonies, this project redefines them as marks of endurance, survival, and beauty.
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. The project was made possible through CA State Funding awarded to Cayenne Wellness Center and Children's Foundation.
About SCAR Stories
"As the photographer and warrior myself, Scar Stories is a true visualization of the aftermath of sickle cell on the human body. As warriors, we bear the scars of battle." – Heather Avant, Photographer (Artfully Avant)
Scar Stories is the first art project 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.
Cayenne Wellness Center and Children's Foundation
Cayenne Wellness Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 2000 and dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals living with sickle cell disease in California. The organization provides expert, unbiased, and comprehensive care while promoting education, advocacy, and awareness for healthcare providers, patients, and the wider community. With a strong grassroots network and a commitment to equity, Cayenne Wellness continues to be a trusted leader in advancing sickle cell support and resources.
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