We celebrated 7 years of NotJustYou the only way we know how — with culture and community giving! This elevated evening featured live Afro-Jazz by Melafrique & Slim Tyme, hors d’oeuvres and canapés by Iranti, and insightful conversation about blood donation, all done in partnership with the incredible people at Canadian Blood Services.

The Kickback is NotJustYou’s signature celebration marking the start of Sickle Cell Awareness Month—a rooftop BBQ with joyful, high-energy gathering rooted in purpose, culture, and community action.

NotJustYou’s World Sickle Cell Day Brunch remains one of our most meaningful and intimate gatherings of the year—a space created to center sickle cell warriors, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and advocates in conversation, reflection, and community.

What better way to kickoff 2025 than with a return of marquee traveling event?! Cellular Calgary marked an exciting milestone for NotJustYou as we hosted our very first event in Calgary. The evening was filled with energy, anticipation, and a strong sense of community as we brought our traveling advocacy series to the city for the first time.

To kickoff Summer 2024, NotJustYou hosted our second annual World Sickle Cell Day (WSCD) Brunch! On June 15th, our community came together to mark this important day with a memorable brunch event. The day was filled with inspiring stories and delicious food, all aimed at raising awareness and building a strong support network for those affected by sickle cell disease (SCD).

We are thrilled to share the highlights from our much-anticipated event, Cellular, held on March 8th at the delightful Junto Studio in downtown Toronto! This marked a significant milestone for NJY as it was our first event outside of Edmonton, AB, and it was truly a memorable experience!

Despite the cool temperatures and smoky air, we had such an amazing time getting together to just celebrate sickle cell! It was important to us to do right by our community, which is why we celebrated indoors.

NotJustYou's Sickle Cell Awareness Day brunch served as a poignant reminder that while sickle cell disease presents its challenges, individuals can lead fulfilling lives, defying societal expectations and limitations.

Finally, on March 3, 2023, the day had arrived. Our inaugural stem cell drive and networking event would mark the beginning of our reintroduction to our local community. Welcome: Cellular.

On the 30th of August, our founder, Ufuoma, met with representatives at the SickKids Hospital to complete a contribution of $1000 NJY!

NJY’s first donation out of Alberta, and given that it required our team to travel to BC, it was one that held unique significance for our founder, Ufuoma.

In celebration of World Sickle Cell Day, and in accordance with NotJustYou’s mission, we donated $1000 to Sickle Cell patients undergoing Bone Marrow Transplants and in/out Sickle Cell patients and families on the Hematology-Oncology unit.

On Wednesday, December 16, 2020, NJY was privileged to make our first large-scale contribution to a hospital unit for individuals affected by sickle cell.

Featuring some of the best musicians and voices in our community, such as Ruva, New Season of Praise, Daniel Generation Choir, Empowerment Praise, and The Light Youth Choir, and MC’d by Wallace Muzorewa, this event drew in a multitude of individuals who came together to sing, dance, and show their sickle support.

One of NotJustYou’s main goals is to strengthen the overall sickle cell community around the world. Although we aim to do this globally, it is important to take action locally by creating a healthy and safe community around sickle cell disease within our current sphere of influence.

Ruva N Friends is a fundraising event hosted by NotJustYou that hopes to raise awareness and support for Sickle Cell Disease as well as bring members of the community together in fellowship.