News

A. Bright Idea received the 2010 Best in Maryland Award in the Development/Fundraising Category for its pro bono public relations support of the Proudford Sickle Cell Fund's 2009 Sickle Cell Awareness Week Campaign. The award was given at the annual meeting of the Public Relations Society of America – Maryland Chapter Annual Conference on June 17, 2010. A. Bright Idea prepared press releases, scheduled media interviews, prepared an online media kit and set up social media for the campaign. Many congratulations to A. Bright Idea and all of our awareness partners for their outstanding work!

World Sickle Cell Day is June 19
The United Nations and World Health Organization will observe World Sickle Cell Day on June 19th with a call to increase awareness about the global impact of sickle cell trait and disease. In addition, 2010 marks 100 years since Dr. James Herrick first published his description of "peculiar elongated and sickle shaped" red blood cells. Twelve years later, in 1922, the disorder was formally named "sickle cell anemia" by Verne Mason, a resident at Johns Hopkins.

Shaq appears in "Be the Match" bone marrow drive campaign
Shaquille O'Neal is encouraging the public to "do something big" by joining the national bone marrow registry. Bone marrow/stem cell transplants have been effective in treating sickle cell disease and other life-threatening illnesses… but, most patients don't have a family member who can act as a donor. View Shaq's PSAs and learn more about the bone marrow registry at http://www.marrow.org/NEWS/News_Releases/2010/Do_Something_Big/Do_Something_Big_Lau.html

Sickle cell researcher, Dr. Harvey Itano, dies at 89
Dr. Itano's 1949 paper, "Sickle Cell Disease: A Molecular Disease," authored with Nobel Laureate Linus Pauling, was the first study to link sickle cell disease to a single genetic mutation. Itano continued his work at the National Institutes of Health before moving back to his native California to join the faculty of the University of California-San Diego School of Medicine. He was the first Japanese American selected to join the National Academy of Sciences.

4/2010 Researchers at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released findings from a landmark study of the health risks associated with sickle cell disease in children. Among their findings: children with SCD are much more likely to suffer from a variety of ailments, including hay fever, food allergies, severe headaches, hearing loss and intellectual disabilities than African American children without the disease. The authors note that "The health burden for children with SCD and their families is profound and may be exacerbated by barriers to accessing comprehensive medical care. Additional study of the extent of unmet needs for U.S. children with SCD is warranted." (see "Health Status and Healthcare Use in a National Sample of Children with Sickle Cell Disease')

4/2010 According to a recent study, one-third of sickle cell patients return to the hospital within 30 days after being discharged, "a rate roughly 1.5 times greater than that of diabetes patients, twice that of heart failure patients, and nearly 10 times greater than the rate for pediatric asthma patients." (see "Sickle Cell Patients Receive Inferior Care"). Young people with sickle cell were most likely to require emergency room visits and hospitalization, with an average 3.62 visits per year.

10/2009 Graphic designers Alissa Jones and Carey Chaia, who are affiliated with the Piece Studio at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), worked under the guidance of Bernard Canniffe to develop a design aimed at raising awareness about sickle cell trait. The "What Kind of Genes Do You Have?" image will be used to encourage young people to get tested for the sickle cell trait and to make informed family planning decisions with the help of their health care professionals.

10/2009 According to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), "Since 2000, football student-athletes with sickle cell trait have collapsed and died more often than with any other condition." (see NCAA Football Rules Committee 2009-2010 Points of Emphasis) The NCAA joins the National Athletic Trainers' Association and the College of American Pathologists in recommending that colleges confirm the trait status of student athletes and establish proper precautions in order to ensure their safety.

10/2009 In 2004, the U.S. Postal Service issued the "Test Early for Sickle Cell" awareness stamp, which was designed by New York artist James Gurney. The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America is calling for the USPS to reissue the stamp in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the discovery of sickle cell disease in the Western world. Contact the SCDAA at 1-800-421-8453 for more information.

8/17/2009 Baltimore Raven Terrell Suggs, TLC's T-Boz and Baltimore native Jackie Gaines Help Promote Sickle Cell Awareness Week in Baltimore. View full release.

7/2009 The Greater Chesapeake and Potomac Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross is honoring the memory of Christopher Gipson by designating July 3 as CHRISTOPHER GIPSON DAY. Gipson died on July 3, 2008, at age 21, of a massive stroke related to sickle cell disease. Click here to read more about his wonderful young man, and please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE to donate blood on July 3.

6/2009 The United Nations has June 19 as the 1st World Sickle Cell Day. Click on the city name for information on events in New York and Washington, D.C.

2/2009 WEPSCF participated in a Sickle Cell Educational Briefing on Wednesday, February 25, at the Maryland State Legislature, Annapolis. Sickle cell researchers, health care providers, and adults living with sickle cell disease joined a group of interested Marylanders for informative panel discussions on “Improving Services for Adults Living with Sickle Cell Disease,” and “Sickle Cell’s Impact on Employment.” Delegate Melony Griffith, Delegate Shirley Nathan Pulliam, Delegate Joseline Pena-Melnyk, and Delegate Jay Walker visited the group to express their appreciation for the work being done to improve the lives of adults living with sickle cell disease.

It’s not too late to support this effort! Click here and send a brief message of thanks to the legislators who visited the Sickle Cell Educational Briefing.

3/2008 Dover Air Force Base (Delaware) Chapel donates $1,000 to WEPSCF

2/2008 WEPSCF donates funds for supplies to new Infusion Center at the Sickle Cell Center for Adults at Johns Hopkins

12/2007 WEPSCF President appointed to Statewide Steering Committee on Services for Adults with Sickle Cell Disease (Maryland)

12/2007 Mission Meets Purpose

11/3/2007 WEPSCF receives Sickle Cell Community Service Award from Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children

9/27/2007 Sickle Cell Disease Fundraiser is a Family Affair

9/15/2007 Today’s Newsmakers – Dr. Robin Smith

9/15/2007 Sickle Cell Awareness Month – Confronting the Disease

8/23/2007 Anne’s Picks of the Week – WEPSCF 2nd Annual Fundraiser

9/20/2006 DSU head coach Greg Jackson honored for sickle cell disease work