Ohio Sickle Cell and Health Association, Inc. (OSCHA) celebrates World Sickle Cell Day ( June 19th, now shared with Juneteenth) and September as National Sickle Cell Awareness Month. Globally and across the nation, statewide and locally, sickle cell awareness events are scheduled, including festivals, galas, walks, and Sickle Cell Sabbath Weekend.
- “OSCHA provides education, advocacy, and support year-round, but September is the month that we increase awareness and information about sickle cell disease, sickle cell trait, and other hemoglobin disorders,” said Annie J. Ross-Womack, OSCHA Executive Director. “We must continue to raise awareness and funds to continue to provide services for those living with this disease,” continued Ross-Womack.
Globally:
World Sickle Cell Day, also known as World Sickle Cell Awareness Day, is celebrated annually on June 19th. The day was first proposed as a resolution by the United Nations in 2008. Its goal is to raise awareness of sickle cell disease (SCD) and its impact on individuals, families, and communities worldwide. It also aims to increase public knowledge and understanding of the challenges faced by patients, their families, and caregivers.
Nationally:
Save the Date: The 52nd Annual National Convention will be held from October 23 to 26 in Atlanta, Georgia!
SCDAA’s Annual National Convention fosters the exchange of the latest scientific and clinical information through innovative training seminars and educational workshops, interactive panel discussions, advocacy lectures and special events. Mark your calendar to join us in Atlanta this fall!
View the 2023 Convention Highlight
Statewide
Sickle Cell Sabbath is an interfaith outreach campaign designed to educate and increase awareness within the faith-based community about sickle cell disease and the need for minority blood donors. Although sickle cell disease affects persons of African ancestry at higher rates, individuals with heritage from Spanish-speaking regions in the Western Hemisphere (South America, the Caribbean and Central America), the Middle East, India, and Mediterranean countries such as Turkey, Greece and Italy can also be affected. The goal of the Sickle Cell Sabbath is simple: increase the number of available blood donors within these various ethnic groups.
A statewide initiative, Sickle Cell Sabbath, is a coordinated, cooperative effort between the ODH Sickle Cell Services Program, the State-Funded Regional Sickle Cell Projects, regional blood programs in Ohio (participation may vary) and various statewide and/or local faith-based groups and organizations. All religious denominations are encouraged to participate.
Programs across Ohio are hosting various events. Religious organizations participate in the Sickle Cell Sabbath Weekend (Third Weekend ) on Saturday and Sunday. These awareness events provide information and assist in the recruitment of blood donors for our patient population who rely on transfusions as part of their treatment for sickle cell disease.
Call to Action
What Can You Do? Help dispel the myths and communicate the facts about sickle cell to your family, friends, and community, assist us in our mission for education, advocacy, funding efforts, and support the Ohio sickle cell community. Make sure you are aware of your risks for a hemoglobin disorder. Do you know your hemoglobin status? #TTKYS
OSCHA: The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America – Ohio Sickle Cell and Health Association, Inc. serves as Ohio’s statewide family support organization, working full-time to resolve issues surrounding sickle cell disease and trait. Since 1960, our organization and partners have been at the forefront of improving the quality of health, life, and services for individuals, families, and communities affected by sickle cell and related conditions. Along with other programs nationwide, we are promoting the search for a cure for all people in the world with sickle cell disease. OSCHA is a 501(c) (3) organization.
