ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A local artist is using her craft to honor her aunt and raise awareness about sickle cell disease.

What You Need To Know

  • In people with sickle cell disease, red blood cells become rigid and deform into a crescent or sickle shape

  • CDC data shows 1 out of every 365 Black or African-American babies are born with sickle cell disease; and 1 in 13 Black or African-American babies are born with a sickle cell trait

  • Sickle cell disease (SCD) affects about 100,000 people in the United States; more than 90% are non-Hispanic Black or African American, and an estimated 3%–9% are Hispanic or Latino

  • Festival and fundraising events include a brunch at the James Museum Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The free festival on The Deuces in St. Pete is on Sunday afternoon, starting at 2 p.m.

The Soul Revival Art Festival and Fundraiser kicks off this weekend. It’s a two-day event started by Myiah “Pink” Moody. She’s an artist and she said she began her journey after her aunt, Lametra Moody, died from complications of sickle cell.

“After my aunt passed in 2016 is when I kind of turned to the paint brush to express the emotions that I was going through and kind of just using art as a form of journaling,” Moody said.

She said her father is also living with sickle cell disease and that means she has the sickle cell trait. The genetic disorder is passed down to children when both parents have the trait. 

“So, in my family, my dad has sickle cell and that was his sister, that was my aunt. So, she had sickle cell. And then me and my sister have the trait,” Moody said.

Inspired by her late aunt, she launched her organization called Happy Soul. Her festival and fundraising events include a brunch at the James Museum Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The free festival on The Deuces in St. Pete is on Sunday afternoon, starting at 2 p.m.

“Our mission is to bridge the gap between art and wellness while raising funds and awareness for sickle cell. And so we bring together a bunch of musical artists, visual artists. We just come together and share our gifts,” she said.

The proceeds from the events help the sickle cell disease association of Pinellas County.