Jenica Leah is an award-winning author, international speaker, and the current president of the European Sickle Cell Federation. Born with sickle cell anemia, Jenica has lived through a lifetime of significant health challenges, including strokes, organ damage, multiple surgeries, and life-threatening complications. Despite these obstacles, Jenica has used her personal journey to inspire others and create meaningful change for individuals living with chronic illness, particularly those with sickle cell disease and invisible disabilities.
From an early age, Jenica’s life was defined by her condition. She experienced regular hospital admissions, excruciating pain from sickle cell crises, and the isolating effects of a largely misunderstood illness. Yet rather than let her condition define her, Jenica was determined to live a life filled with purpose. As a young adult, she pursued a career as a fashion model, working with top agencies such as Select Model Management, and gracing the pages of publications like Vogue Paris. However, health challenges continued to interfere with her professional life. In 2006, Jenica suffered a life-threatening complication, acute chest syndrome, which left her in critical care and required resuscitation. This near-death experience became a turning point, shaping her approach to life and how she navigated her condition.
In 2014, Jenica began publicly sharing her experience of living with sickle cell, after having undergone a series of surgeries, including hip replacements and gallbladder removal, as well as enduring severe health complications. She began to advocate for better education around sickle cell and chronic illness, starting with her self-published children’s book My Friend Jen. This book, written to educate young children about sickle cell disease, has since been recognized internationally and is widely used in schools and hospitals to raise awareness. Her advocacy continued to grow, and in 2019, Jenica became a founding member of the European Sickle Cell Federation (ESCF), a pan-European organisation focused on raising awareness, collaboration, and advocating for policy change on behalf of individuals living with sickle cell.
Jenica’s commitment to improving the lives of people living with sickle cell extended beyond the UK. After launching her second children’s book, she made the bold decision to relocate to the Caribbean to live a healthier life, in pursuit of a new perspective on living with a chronic illness. It was during this time that Jenica developed a YouTube series, Conversations with Jen, where she shares stories of individuals living with sickle cell, creating a platform for people to raise their voices and connect.
Jenica has consistently used her platform to educate and inspire others. Her podcast, Let’s Talk About Sickle Cell, has become a critical resource for sickle cell education, featuring interviews with MPs, healthcare professionals, celebrities, and individuals affected by sickle cell. Through her online presence and her work with various NHS Trusts, Jenica has created a global community of support for individuals living with sickle cell and other chronic conditions. She is a passionate advocate for blood donation and has worked tirelessly to raise awareness about the urgent need for more black blood donors. As a result of her campaigns, Jenica has encouraged hundreds of people to donate blood, saving countless lives in the process.
Jenica’s speaking engagements are widely sought after for their motivational, empowering, and life-affirming messages. She draws on her personal experiences and the challenges she has overcome to deliver talks that resonate deeply with audiences. Whether speaking to healthcare professionals about improving communication with patients, or corporates about overcoming workplace challenges with a positive mindset, Jenica’s message is clear: no matter the challenges life throws at you, it’s possible to turn those challenges into opportunities.
Known for her warm, fun, and optimistic personality, Jenica connects with people from all walks of life. Knowing how unprecedented life can be, she often says “Tomorrow is not a guarantee, so make a difference today”. This infectious attitude, combined with her expertise and lived experience, makes Jenica an inspiring speaker who motivates others to rise above their fears, embrace their challenges, and find purpose in every part of their journey.
Today, Jenica’s impact is felt globally through her books, podcast, public speaking, and advocacy work. Her tireless efforts to educate and empower others have touched the lives of hundreds of thousands, providing them with the tools to overcome challenges and live their best lives. Jenica Leah’s story is a testament to the power of resilience, a positive mindset, and the unwavering belief that we all have the ability to shape our future, no matter the circumstances.
