From Pain to Powerhouse: Actress Yetunde Felix-Ukwu Honors Those Who Make Freedom Possible

Yetunde Felix-Ukwu carries herself with the quiet confidence of someone who has stared challenges in the face and emerged victorious. The accomplished actress and dialect coach speaks with the measured grace of someone who understands waking up every day is a victory and a gift worth celebrating.

"My life didn't change after my bone marrow transplant," says Yetunde. "It started."

Born with a Yoruba name meaning "mother has come back," Yetunde's journey began at age five when she was diagnosed with sickle cell disease, an inherited blood disorder that can cause extreme pain and life-threatening complications. What followed was what she describes as a "lifelong disruption"—but one that would propel her into the powerhouse she is today.

By age 13, Yetunde received her first blood transfusion, and over the next 14 years she received a total of 100 blood transfusions.

"Transfusions are the bridge between pain and relief," Yetunde explains. "Often the pain killers can only go so far, and only when I received blood could I be free from the issues being caused by sickle cell. Every time it would be a fascinating experience knowing that what I was receiving came from the generosity and sacrifice of someone else."

Heroes Among Us

In 2008, as her condition worsened, Yetunde decided to undergo a half-matched bone marrow transplant to cure her sickle cell disease. Bone marrow transplants use healthy blood stem cells from a compatible donor to replace bone marrow that's not producing healthy blood cells. After the donor’s healthy blood stem cells are infused into the patient’s bloodstream, they travel to the patient’s bone marrow and begin creating new blood cells.

After testing family members for a bone marrow match, Yetunde's sister, Dr. Uwuma Felix—whom she calls her “superhero”—proved to be a partial match.

"She was so honored to be my donor and never hesitated," Yetunde says. "She has been a major caregiver throughout my life, often sacrificing many hours on the road to be with me if I was at a hospital far away."

In addition to her sister’s bone marrow donation, blood donations from generous donors helped. Before the procedure, Yetunde needed an emergency red cell exchange of 12 units to stabilize her hemoglobin levels. Patients often receive blood transfusions that are closely matched before, during and after the procedure until their bone marrow recovers.

The transplant process was grueling—ovary retrieval surgery (to preserve her ability to have children), chemotherapy, radiation and many months in isolation due to her immune system’s need to recover and the increased susceptibility of infection and complications. This pause became the intermission before her purpose began to unfold.

The First Act

Today, Yetunde no longer requires blood transfusions—a testament to how blood donations not only help sustain patients but enable them to access therapies like bone marrow transplants, stem cell and gene therapies. She's now thriving in her career, having earned her Master of Fine Arts degree, portrayed pioneers like Harriet Tubman on stage, and whose dialect coaching is featured in major projects including the recent box office hit "Sinners”.

“I no longer live a life tethered to the hospital,” says Yetunde. “To be working with director [Ryan Coogler] just six years [after ‘Black Panther’] is a testament that I'm going in the right direction."

While chronic pain from tissue and nerve damage serves as a daily reminder of her journey, Yetunde lives with freedom she once thought impossible. Her daily routine begins with "prayers of thanksgiving," and she shares her home with her golden doodle Harmony and stays close to her four siblings and two nephews.

The Power of Community

On Juneteenth and World Sickle Cell Day, a day that honors sickle cell warriors and celebrates freedom and progress, Yetunde’s journey embodies what becomes possible when communities step up to support one another.

Type O blood – which can be given to almost any patient in an emergency – is especially vital for sickle cell patients, particularly the Ro subtype, which is often the most compatible match and reduces the risk of transfusion reactions. Notably, 57% of Latinos and 51% of African Americans have type O blood (positive or negative), making these communities essential for helping patients.

Since 2021, the American Red Cross Sickle Cell Initiative has welcomed more than 139,000 first-time African American blood donors and provided over 290,000 sickle cell trait screenings— fundamentally increasing awareness, health insights and working to change health outcomes for the more than 100,000 Americans living with sickle cell disease.

"We may never be able to personally tell you thank you,” says Yetunde. “It may feel like your one [blood donation] doesn't really matter. But what you are doing is as impactful and lifesaving as donating an organ. Blood products and their availability have kept me and many others from dying. It matters, and we thank you."

You can make a difference in the lives of patients who are battling sickle cell disease. While all blood types are needed, individuals with Type O blood are urged to make an appointment now by visiting RedCrossBlood.org/OurBlood, using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Those who come to give blood, platelets or AB Elite plasma June 1-30, 2025, get a $15 Amazon.com Gift Card by email* and will automatically be entered for a chance to win one of two $7,000 gift cards! Terms and additional details can be found at RedCrossBlood.org/June.