History

On August 31, 2004, William E. Proudford passed away of complications of kidney disease resulting from diabetes. Mr. Proudford also suffered from sickle cell disease (SCD), Paget's disease and profound hearing loss. Because of the unique challenges they encountered in understanding and getting adequate treatment for his sickle cell disease, his family started an effort to raise awareness about the disease. In October, 2005, the William E. Proudford Sickle Cell Fund, Inc. (WEPSCF) was incorporated in Delaware as a non-profit organization. The organization received its 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in March, 2006. The Proudford family donated $5,000 to start the Fund, and immediately began building partnerships with area organizations such as Mjach Designs, Baltimore, who developed the organization's logo, Dreamhaus Media LLC, Dallas, who designed the organization's original website, and Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A., who provided legal assistance. In September, 2006, the WEPSCF held its inaugural fundraiser, honoring Delaware State University Men's Basketball Coach Greg Jackson, in Dover, Delaware. The organization identified the Nemours Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children as its first recipient and pledged $100,000 to support the hospital's comprehensive sickle cell program. Since then, the WEPSCF has donated funds to the Sickle Cell Center for Adults at Johns Hopkins as well as distributed sickle cell information at health fairs and festivals, partnered with Art with a Heart to introduce the artSPEAKS program, and connected with Shoppers Food and Pharmacy, Giant and Safeway to display sickle cell awareness posters in its Baltimore area stores. Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs joined forces with the WEPSCF to call attention to the need for increased funding, support and research.