Newsletters

This month, we’ll recap Marqus’ memorial service and blood drive, highlight our new website and recent blog posts, and we’ll have some News You Can Use!

It is with a heavy heart that we formally announce the passing of our co-founder, son, brother, uncle, cousin, friend and teammate, Marqus Valentine. Marqus gained his warrior wings on Monday, June 22, after 36 years of so much life. Words cannot explain how incredibly devastating this news is for the Valentine family and all of those who knew and loved Marqus. This month, we’ll honor and remember our eternal angel.

For the last several months we’ve encouraged the community to stay vigilant, healthy and safe amid the COVID-19 outbreaks and we’ll continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Now, more than ever, our community must continue to encourage each other to practice being safe.

Recently, a fellow SCD warrior reminded us that this community is built on resilience. And while the COVID-19 pandemic has proved challenging for our families, friends, hospitals, favorite restaurants and more — we must continue to look out for each other.

As the COVID-19 outbreak spreads across the globe, the health of our SCD community has been top-of-mind for Sick Cells. We’re encouraging everyone, as much as possible, to practice social distancing and to reach out to their healthcare professionals, families and friends for support during this unprecedented time. Staying physically apart might be challenging — but that’s when having virtual catch ups or phone calls can help you feel connected and stay in touch.

Leaping right in — this month, we’ll recap the last few months of the SCD ICER value assessment, spotlight a couple of sickle cell stories and share Rare Disease Week 2020 updates. We’ll have some News You Can Use, but first…

Happy 2020 from Team Sick Cells! We can’t believe this year marks the 4th year of our monthly newsletter. Thank you for your endless support. Since the beginning of the year, our team has devoted a lot of time to the ICER value assessment (and the future of new SCD drugs) – with the final ruling quickly approaching in March. However, in the midst of its whirlwind, we were reminded of just how precious life can be.

This month, we’re reflecting on a year of wins, challenges and new opportunities for Sick Cells. 2019 lit a fire in us to expand our reach within the community and help further impact the lives of those living with and impacted by sickle cell disease. We’re so grateful for the new faces we’ve met, policies we’ve helped change and inspiring events we were able to attend.

This month, we’re reflecting on all of the wonderful things be grateful for this year. Sick Cells, and the sickle cell community as a whole, have seen tremendous progress in 2019. From new FDA drug approvals to propelling change on Capitol Hill, our momentum is high and there are no signs of us slowing down.

In October, Sick Cells completed its 2019 Faces of SCD tour in Houston, Texas. Thank you to each organization that welcomed us over the last six weeks and our sponsors. Thank you to those who were willing to share their stories and those who simply wanted to learn more about us.

In September, we said so long sweet summer and hello to a full-on fall. From our first sickle cell walk in Detroit to the start of conference season, we’re looking forward to the last quarter of 2019.

Detroit, Philadelphia, Houston — we’re coming for you! This month, we’re happy to announce the three cities Sick Cells plans to visit for our #FacesOfSCD campaign.