Cayenne Wellness Center and Children's Foundation, in collaboration with the Sickle Cell Community Consortium and the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, is presenting 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. The exhibit will launch with a special video montage on September 17, 2025, at 12:50 PM PST during the 17th Annual Sickle Cell Disease Educational Summit, and will be open to the public from September 18–20, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM at the San Jose Marriott.
The opening reception will take place on September 17 at 12:50 PM PST. Summit attendees receive free entry, and general guests are welcome with donations appreciated. Registration is available at 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. As one warrior, identified as A.W., shared, '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.'
Heather Avant, the photographer behind the project, stated, 'As a 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.' The exhibit is curated under the leadership of Carolyn Rowley, PhD, Executive Director of Cayenne Wellness Center; Heather Avant; and Dr. Patrise Holden, Project Manager.
This initiative is more than an art exhibit; it is a movement of healing and truth-telling, redefining scars as marks of endurance, survival, and beauty. The project was made possible through California state funding awarded to Cayenne Wellness Center and Children's Foundation. Cayenne Wellness Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in 2000, is dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals with sickle cell disease in California, providing expert care while promoting education, advocacy, and awareness for healthcare providers, patients, and the community.
