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

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 member organizations. National Sickle Cell Awareness Month was designated by Congress to focus attention on the need for research and treatment of sickle cell disease.

“Individuals and organizations can join our efforts to bring attention to sickle cell disease by engaging elected officials for proclamations, hosting awareness events, distributing educational information to dispel the myths about sickle cell disease and lighting public spaces, buildings and landmarks red,” said Beverley Francis-Gibson, president and CEO of Sickle Cell Disease Association.

• The 2020 Sickle Cell Disease Therapeutics Conference will take place virtually Sept. 15 at 9 a.m. Learn more and register online.

• A Sickle Cell Awareness Month Twitter Party, an online Twitter conversation hosted by the Sickle Cell Disease Association where participants interact, share, learn and celebrate by posting tweets using the hashtag #SickleCellMatters, will take place Sept. 21, 23 and 25 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Register online.

• Fight sickle cell disease by donating blood to the American Red Cross. Donors can make an appointment by downloading the American Red Cross Blood Donor app, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-733-2767.

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

Sickle Cell Disease Association invites advocacy organizations, corporate and federal partners and supporters to use the hashtags #SickleCellMatters, #SickleCellAwarenessMonth, #SCDAA2020AwarenessMonth and #SCDSCTMatters in social media posts about sickle cell disease throughout September. More information, including a press kit, 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 anemia, 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 organizations to maximize quality of life and raise public consciousness while advancing the search for a universal cure. The association and more than 50 member organizations support sickle cell research, public and professional health education and patient and community services. (www.sicklecelldisease.org)