Newsletters

On July 20, Sick Cells hosted its 3rd annual Wiggin’ Out for Sickle Cell fundraiser. The crowd was bigger and the laughs were harder this year. We can’t thank our volunteers and attendees enough. Read more about this event a little further down the newsletter.

Summertime and the living is busy! The summer months have been some of the most packed months for the Sick Cells team. From our annual Wiggin’ Out for Sickle Cell fundraiser to World Sickle Cell Day, we’re excited to host more events, meet more community members and continue raising awareness across the country.

From our #FacesOfSCD photo series to the American Red Cross Heroes breakfast, Sick Cells made quite a few appearances in your inboxes and on your social media timelines this month. Needless to say, the Sick Cells team is staying busy and gearing up for an incredible summer 2019.

Congratulations Ashley and Marqus Valentine for being honored as the Red Cross’ 2019 Blood Service Heroes. They were honored for their work in advocacy and storytelling in the sickle cell community on May 1, 2019.

As the saying goes, “when it rains, it pours” and this month it’s pouring with conferences, summits, and sickle cell advocates at work. April’s showers have Sick Cells in full bloom. Our #FacesOfSCD photo series is running again, and we’ll even include some News You Can Use, but first…

More than 30 SCD advocates went to Capitol Hill for Rare Disease Week and various SCD advocated at the state level. This month, we’ll recap the legislation discussed on the Hill and what the community can do now to stay engaged.

This month, the Sick Cells team lobbied with 450+ other rare disease advocates, including about 40 sickle cell advocates on Capitol Hill in Washington DC for Rare Disease Week (RDW). Check it out in this month’s newsletter!

Happy New Year! Sick Cells is gearing up for one of its busiest years yet. We’ve already hit the ground running with a broadcast appearance for the Great Chicago Blood Drive and Dinner for a Cause. Next up, we’re heading to Capitol Hill for Rare Disease Week 2019.

Living with a disability requires a lot of support. Sometimes even more support than a person is willing to admit. You, along with your family, have to manage doctors appointments, blood work, portacath flushing, medication refills, taking your daily medication, and so on.

The current House still has four weeks to work this year. The time between the new House being sworn in and the current House finishing their terms is called lame duck session. Many bills, like S.2465 get passed during this time.

On October 11, the Senate had a verbal vote on legislation (S. 2465) sponsored by Senators Tim Scott (R-SC) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) to address issues related to sickle cell disease (SCD).

The Sickle Cell Foundation of Tennessee celebrates life through art, music, creativity, and the best BBQ that the Sick Cells team has ever had.