Conferences, advocacy, blood donations and other events held throughout September

HANOVER, Maryland—The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America will participate in National Sickle Cell Awareness Month in September by holding a series of events and supporting the events of its more than 50 member organisations. National Sickle Cell Awareness Month was designated by Congress to focus attention on the need for research and treatment of sickle cell disease.

“More than 100,000 Americans live with sickle cell disease, but because it is an invisible illness, many of them suffer in silence,” said Regina Hartfield, president and CEO of the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America. “September is the month to speak up for sickle cell. Post to social media, attend special events, give blood, talk to your friends and family and call your representatives to shine a light on this often-overlooked condition. Every voice counts.”

• The 11^th annual Sickle Cell Disease Therapeutics Conference will take place virtually Sept. 14 at 9 a.m. Eastern time. Hosted by Global Blood Therapeutics Inc. and the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, the conference provides a forum to discuss the latest advancements and future trends for treating patients with sickle cell disease. Health care companies, opinion leaders, physicians and patients, policymakers and others will present at the conference. Learn more and register online.

• Sickle Cell Awareness Month Twitter Parties, online Twitter conversations hosted by the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America where participants interact, share, learn and celebrate by posting tweets using the hashtag #SickleCellMatters, will take place Sept. 19, 21 and 23 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Eastern time.

• Fight sickle cell disease by donating blood—during a nationwide blood shortage caused by COVID—to the American Red Cross. Donors can join the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America’s virtual blood drive. Learn more and pledge online.

• Sickle cell groups across the country will hold events for National Sickle Cell Awareness Month throughout September, including town halls, webcasts, walks and races, summits and seminars and fundraisers. Learn more online.

The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America invites advocacy organisations, corporate and federal partners and supporters to use the hashtags #SickleCellMatters2022, #SickleCellAwarenessMonth, #SCDSCTmatters and #SCDAA2022AwarenessMonth in social media posts about sickle cell disease throughout September. More information, including a flyer and fact sheet, is available online.

Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disease causing red blood cells to take a sickle shape, which leads to blockages that prevent blood from reaching parts of the body. As a result, people with sickle cell complications can experience anaemia, jaundice, gallstones, stroke, chronic pain, organ damage and premature death. No universal cure exists. (sicklecelldisease.net)

Sickle Cell Disease Association of America advocates for people affected by sickle cell conditions and empowers community-based organisations to maximise quality of life and raise public consciousness while advancing the search for a universal cure. The association and more than 50 member organisations support sickle cell research, public and professional health education and patient and community services. (www.sicklecelldisease.org)

---