SCAR Stories Exhibit Highlights Physical and Emotional Impact of Sickle Cell Disease
A groundbreaking art exhibit reveals the untold stories behind the scars of sickle cell warriors, transforming marks of trauma into symbols of endurance and survival.
Cayenne Wellness Center and Children's Foundation, in collaboration with the Sickle Cell Community Consortium and the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, presents SCAR Stories: A Visual Testimony of Sickle Cell Warriors, an 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, 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 stated, "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."
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.
Heather Avant, the photographer and a sickle cell warrior herself, explains the significance of the project: "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." This exhibition represents the first art project of its kind to explore and reveal the visible and hidden scars of sickle cell warriors across the nation, offering the world a powerful glimpse into the strength of the sickle cell community through photography and storytelling.
Summit attendees receive free entry to the SCAR Stories Exhibit, while general guests are welcome with donations appreciated. Those interested can register through the official registration portal. The exhibit serves as a crucial platform for raising awareness about the comprehensive impact of sickle cell disease beyond medical symptoms, highlighting the human experience of living with this chronic condition.