Funmi as she was fondly called was born on in Ibadan, Oyo state on 18 July 1973 and was diagnosed with sickle cell disease at a young age. She was the second child of five children of John & Lydia Oladiran.

Despite facing numerous health setbacks, Funmi always maintained a zest for life and refused to let her condition define her. She attended Alafia Primary School and Command Children School in Ibadan, Oyo state and did her Secondary School at St Louis Grammer School, also in Ibadan. She then went on to study Food Technology at Yaba College of Technology, Lagos. In 1998, she married TJ Danesi, and both have three healthy children.

Funmi became an advocate for those living with sickle cell disease, using her own experiences to raise awareness and promote understanding. She shared her story with honesty and vulnerability to help others understand the impact of the disease and the importance of support and compassion.

Funmi’s legacy lives on through the lives she touched and the positive change she brought to the sickle cell community in her immediate environment. Her incredible resilience, optimism, and determination serve as an inspiration to all those who face challenges in her lives.