Return of the Broken Silence Talent Show This year's talent show final will take place on 1st October 2011 at Brent Town Hall, Wembley, Middlesex.

From left to right Marsha Mothersill, Edward Maughan, Cherelle Augustine, Nordia James

Broken Silence

Youth charity Broken Silence hosts talent show to raise awareness of sickle cell disease.

A group of young people suffering from the blood disorder, sickle cell disease, are hosting a star-studded talent show in order to raise awareness and understanding of sickle cell disease (SCD) and highlight its devastating effects on the lives of those people who have it.

The annual Broken Silence talent show takes place on Saturday 1st October at Brent Town Hall in Wembley and will be hosted by comedian Wayne 'Dibbi' Rollins & AJ King from Kiss FM.

Contestants will be judged by a panel of experts including upcoming, funky house artist - Big Man Zest, DJ Gussy of Roots FM, Butch Cassidy, Bang FM DJ, Aicha McKensie, founder of the AMCK dance agency, Andrew Tayo, Founder of UBand and soon to launch UBand TV and Darren Dixon, Co-owner of Above and Beyond (AAB) talent agency.

Talent show guests will also be treated to some very special guest performances by Realz (currently mentored by Asher D of So Solid Crew) and Big Man Zest.

There will be 16 acts in the final show representing various talents including singers, dancers and MCs chosen from the hundreds of auditioning acts from across the UK.

The talent show is also being supported by U-Band and My Hood. UBand is an exciting digital music media agency helping to shape the UK music industry. UBand will award the winning contestant of each category with a professional photo shoot to help further their professional career. My Hood, a fashion label making a difference to urban culture, will be showcasing their varied designs with a catwalk performance during the event.

Ellen Wright of My Hood said: "My Hood has always built our brand on the message that we want people to be proud of where they come from and be positive about where they can get to. Broken Silence embodies all that we believe in - set up by a group of young people (all sufferers of SCD) and helping to fight for the rights of so many people affected by SCD in the UK - we find them truly inspiring. It is an honour to be able to support such a wonderful charity, which does such valuable work within the community and around the country."

To purchase tickets for the final show, please visit www.brokensilence.org
Tickets for final show are £10 for adults and £7 for children. Please show your support.
For more information about U-Band, please visit: http://uband.co.uk/
For more information about My Hood, please visit: http://www.my-hood.co.uk/



About Broken Silence Broken Silence is a registered charity founded in 2004 by four teenagers with sickle cell disease in memory of their friend, Leona Dehaney who died from complications relating to the disease. Broken Silence campaigns for the rights of people with SCD.

Edward Maughan aged 21 from Wembley in London, is a member of Broken Silence. He was diagnosed with Sickle Cell at birth: "The most traumatic experience for me so far was when I had Osteomyelitis - which is basically a chronic infection of the bone and bone marrow at the age of 11. I honestly can't remember what it was like because at the time it felt like I was struggling just to stay alive."

Nordia James was diagnosed with sickle cell at six years old:
"I've experienced immense pain throughout my childhood because of sickle cell. I'm regularly rushed to hospital for blood transfusions or injections because of the disease." Sickle Cell is one of the most commonly inherited genetic disorders in the country.

The charity has gained the support of a number of celebrities (including MTV Base and Choice FM stars), community radio stations, well-known singers and stars from the stage and screen including: Choice FM, Unique FM, Roots FM, Shola Ama and her sister Sadie, reggae legend Tippa Irie and ITV's The Bill' actor Clifford Samuel. The team is also supported by a number of commercial and community organisations including; Genesis Community Chest, Brent Council's Harlesden and Stonebridge, Regeneration and Renewal Team and the Jack Petchey Foundation.

About sickle cell disease Sickle cell disease is a genetic blood disorder affecting the red blood cells, and is mainly found in people of black and ethnic minorities. It is estimated that in the UK, 12,500 people have SCD. The condition can cause severe anaemia, damage to major organs and infections. Sickle cell is caused by inherited genes that create defective blood cells. People with sickle cell have sickle-shaped blood cells that can build up and cause blockages in small blood vessels, causing severe pain known as sickle cell crisis. Patients may require blood transfusions every 3 - 4 weeks.

For more information on Broken Silence, please visit the website.