Model Jourdan Dunn REVEALS Her Son's STRUGGLES With Sickle-Cell Anemia

Jul 31 | by _YBF

Model Jourdan Dunn recently opened about the difficulties her 3-year-old son Riley faces with sickle-cell anemia. Deets inside...

Model Jourdan Dunn, the mother of 3-year-old son Riley (shown above), faced a bit of controversy when she revealed she was pregnant at the young age of 18, and her son's father getting arrested for cocaine after she gave birth at 19. And even walked a few runways with her baby bump.

She was the first black model to walk the runway for PRADA in the last 10 years. And the model youngin' was hailed as "the next Naomi" heading up campaigns and runways for Burberry, Calvin Klein, Yves Saint Laurent, Victoria's Secret, Topshop, Gap, Benetton, H&M, Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue. Just to name a few.

Now, she's recently opened up about the very serious blood disease, sickle-cell anemia that Riley struggles with.

Although Jourdan doesn't have the disease herself, she and the father of her son are among the 250,000 people in England estimated to carry the genetic mutation that causes it.

She tells the Sunday Times Style,

'I found out I carried it when I was pregnant, which was a huge shock. The first time Riley had a crisis, I was working in New York and due to travel to Puerto Rico. [My] Mum was amazing and reassured me he was in the best hands and that I should keep working.'

She added, 'It's something people don't really know about, due to the fact it's genetic, so it doesn't have the high profile of HIV or malaria. 'Riley looks just like a normal boy, but I can't get away from the fact he has a serious disease.'

Riley now takes penicillin and folic acid daily as to help his symptoms. Going forward, Jourdan says she plans to use her platform for support and awareness of the Sickle Cell Society, which she strongly supports.

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Comments

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Jourdan is my Favorite

Jourdan is my Favorite model...I wish her son well.

by star
10:10 pm - Jul 31, '12

I feel obligated to address

I feel obligated to address some of the misinformation here. Sickle Cell disease does not protect you from malaria, you're more susceptible to malaria with the disease then someone without it. however Sickle cell trait will protect you from malaria. Also Lisa Raye sickle cell is a bitch, but don't blame slave masters, SIckle cell developed in Africa and other countries where malaria was prevelant as a genetic mutation to protect against malaria. But when two people with the trait pro create, they have a 25% chance of having a child with sickle cell disease. Speaking as a mother with two children who have the disease it is devasting, and I hope she does bring awareness to the topic, because a lot of people have no idea what it is or the prevelance of it in the African american community. I always knew I had the trait and my husband was told by his mother of all people that he didn't. Had I known before hand that he was a carrier, my life would probably be different. Blessings in disguise I say.

by luvles
3:22 pm - Jul 31, '12

Sickle cell dx???am shocked

Sickle cell dx???am shocked dt at dis day and age ppl don't knw abt it..in africa wie am 4rm its advised dt couples knw dia genotype so as not 2 bring forth a baby(ies) wit d sickle cell gene..cs no matter d love dt exist btwn d guy and d girl..watchin ur child go thru sevral bouts of crisis is very painful tin 2 go thru...well her case is understandable doe.since she had d child at a young age....

by umeti
1:15 pm - Jul 31, '12

Your entire comment looks

Your entire comment looks like the scrabble board from Soul Train.

by tori
5:18 pm - Jul 31, '12

Who are you lol? You are

Who are you lol? You are hilarious!

by I_love_laughing
8:24 pm - Aug 3, '12

Seriously in the 21st century

Seriously in the 21st century what person of color doesn't know about sickle cell?? I would think black people would know to get screened to see if you carry the gene since a majority of carriers are african american. All jews know about tay sacks and latinos know about cystic fibrosis, if it affects your community, you should learn about it and get screened.

by tori
1:15 pm - Jul 31, '12

Knowing you have the trait is

Knowing you have the trait is a start, however only 25% of couples with the trait create the disease... with that said, millions of couples with the trait produce perfectly Sickle Cell disease-free kids... so even if you and your mate have been screened and came up positive with the trait, it does not mean you will have a sickle cell child, my niece is proof of this. Also keep in mind there are 3 different strands of the disease, with the third being quite mild. Lastly, EVERYONE should get screened because I know tons of Latin and Caucasian children with Sickle Cell Disease as well.

by TISTalkLounge
11:46 am - Aug 3, '12

For starters I would like to

For starters I would like to thank YBF for posting this as news. I am a strong supporter of Sickle Cell Disease being that my 7 year old daughter lives with it and I know first hand how serious just the thought of it can be. I am looking forward to Jourdan's awareness contributions. The best advice I can give her is to surround herself with other parents of children with Sickle Cell and expose her son to other children that share his disease... trust me it will do them both wonders. Information is golden! I plan to repost this come Sickle Cell Month in September.

by TISTalkLounge
1:03 pm - Jul 31, '12

T-Boz from TLC has sickle

T-Boz from TLC has sickle cell and she's always bitching and complaining about how tired she is all the time. What should i do????????????

by LisaRaye's Subc...
1:18 pm - Jul 31, '12

Does she have it too? She

Does she have it too? She needs a meal. This chick is malnourished. Good grief there is nothing sexy about looking life a Hunger Relief Commercial

by lola69
12:58 pm - Jul 31, '12

Ain't $hit sexy about

Ain't $hit sexy about ignorance and illiteracy either. She clearly stated she DID NOT have the disease, but carried the gene mutation.

by tori
1:20 pm - Jul 31, '12

Don't be ignorant LisaRaye.

Don't be ignorant LisaRaye. Sickle cell offers a resistance to malaria, so it is beneficial to people who live in Africa, South America, or places where malaria has historically killed millions of people. So in Africa, people with the trait lived longer than those who didn't have it.