The Loss of Hertz Nazaire

Hertz, pictured October 26, 2021, with his puzzle art “The world is a little brighter within pain” which is displayed at Global Blood Therapeutics in San Francisco.

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Hertz Nazaire who passed away at the age of 48. Hertz was a renowned artist and author who used his painting skills to raise awareness for sickle cell disease. He was also well-known for his SCD advocacy work and was a published author of an adult coloring book series titled 'Finding Your Colors' that he created as art therapy for stress.

At the young age of nine, Hertz began painting in NYC where he lived with his mother after immigrating from Port-au-Prince, Haiti. He studied art at the The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale and University of Bridgeport. He later moved to Bridgeport, Connecticut to focus on his art and spreading his message. “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Hertz Nazaire who touched so many lives with his art depicting the pain and sorrow of living with sickle cell disease and will miss his quiet but impactful advocacy,” says Beverley Francis-Gibson, SCDAA president and CEO. “This is a huge loss for the SCD community.” The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America mourns the loss of Hertz Nazaire and will hold his family in our hearts. You can read more about Hertz in this recent article. Additional information will be provided when it becomes available.