SiNERGe and Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Inc. (SCDAA) are collaborating with sickle cell advocacy groups, community-based organizations, hospitals, governments and other key stakeholders in the sickle cell community on Shine the Light on Sickle Cell, a 24-hour awareness campaign to celebrate the 10^th anniversary of World Sickle Cell Awareness Day on June 19, 2019.
June 19th was officially designated by the United Nations as World Sickle Cell Awareness Day. The international awareness day is observed annually with the goal to increase public knowledge and an understanding of sickle cell disease (SCD) and sickle cell trait (SCT), and the challenges experienced by patients and their families and caregivers. On June 19^th and within the month of June, individuals and organizations are hosting a number of activities across the country.
“June 19 is a day of unity and purpose for the sickle cell community,” says Dr. Sophie Lanzkron, associate professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and co-director of the SiNERGe collaborative. “We’re proud to work with the SCDAA to highlight the need for increased awareness about sickle cell disease and its impact on individuals and their families here in the U.S. and abroad.”
SCD is a global health problem affecting millions of people around the world. It is estimated that approximately 100,000 Americans have the disease, and more than 1,000,000 worldwide have sickle cell trait. Each year, approximately 1,000 babies in the United States are born with SCD, and there is no universal cure for this life-threatening disease.
“SCDAA is proud to collaborate with SiNERGe on this important national awareness campaign that has brought together the diverse stakeholders within the sickle cell community to create events, activities and opportunities to bring attention to sickle cell disease and to encourage individuals to get involved in our efforts to advocate on behalf of the those affected by this disease,” said SCDAA President and CEO Beverley Francis-Gibson.
Visit the Shine the Light on Sickle Cell Campaign Facebook page at www.facebook/com/pg/ShineTheLightOnSickleCell/events to learn about the events happening across the country on June 19 and in the month of June.
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