Sickle Cell Detained: A Woman’s Struggle | Lexington News

Lexington News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jul 30, 2026 · 1m

A Ugandan woman with sickle cell anemia, Sarafinah Bukirwa, was detained at Louisville airport en route to a medical conference—just days after being released from the hospital. Despite applying for asylum and running a nonprofit to combat sickle cell, she’s now held in detention where her brother reports inconsistent medication and even diluted prescriptions. U.S. Rep. Morgan McGarvey has condemned the situation, stressing she’s law-abiding and medically vulnerable. The jailer says she’s getting all her meds, but privacy laws block further details. Her case highlights the urgent need for…