Sickle Cell Disease Ambassador Jourdan Dunn On Son Riley’s Anemia

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We think it’s safe to say that Jourdan Dunn, who once didn’t even enjoy modeling, has come a long way since her son, Riley, was diagnosed with sickle cell anemia when he was just 6-months-old.

To put that statement into perspective, Jourdan Dunn used to model solely for the money before giving birth.

Jourdan Dunn is an ambassador for the Sickle Cell Disease Association of AmericaJourdan Dunn is an ambassador for the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America

Today, she uses her platform to raise awareness of her son’s sickle cell disease, which according to Mayo Clinic is an “inherited red blood cell disorder in which there aren’t enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout your body.”

“They say it is the most horrendous pain and it lasts for days,” she told The Times about her son’s sickle cell anemia in an interview. “The thought of him being a baby and going through that, and the fact that I can’t take the pain away.”

Jourdan Dunn's son Riley suffers from sickle-cell diseaseJourdan Dunn’s son Riley suffers from sickle-cell disease

“When he comes home from school and he’s coughing, I’m, like, ‘Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God. Is he OK?’ But for the most part he is OK. It’s all about making sure he eats well, that he takes his penicillin and that he keeps hydrated. But we’re still learning about it. It is all new.”

Always dressed tot he nines, Jourdan was crowned “Style Influencer of the Year” at the 2016 Elle Style Awards in London.

Jourdan Dunn's feet in Giuseppe Zanotti sandalsJourdan Dunn’s feet in Giuseppe Zanotti sandals

An ambassador for the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Jourdan wore a velvet asymmetrical and off-the-shoulder top with a glitter embossed thigh-high slit skirt — a look that she took straight from the catwalk of Emilio De La Morena’s Fall 2016 collection.

Jourdan dressed it up with a little arm bling and showed off her feet in Giuseppe Zanotti “Coline” chain sandals.

Jourdan Dunn wears an Emilio de la Morena dress at the 2016 Elle Style AwardsJourdan Dunn wears an Emilio de la Morena dress at the 2016 Elle Style Awards in London on February 23, 2016

The leggy model talked about her award, as well as what she does on her off-duty days. And, yes ladies, she’s just like the rest of us when cameras are no longer flashing. See her full interview below:

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Giuseppe Zanotti Coline Chain Sandals

Giuseppe Zanotti Coline Chain Sandals

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Credit: Lia Toby / Lexie Appleby / Future Image / WENN