The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America - Michigan Chapter provides education, assistance, and advocacy for individuals living with and families affected by sickle cell disease. Our services are available throughout Michigan and span lifetime needs. Lisa Whitten, PhD Bruce Jackson, Esq. Flourish Research Thank you 2026 Sponsors for helping us reach our goal!! To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. SCDAA-MI provides education, assistance, and advocacy for individuals living with and families affected by sickle cell disease. Our services are available throughout Michigan and span lifetime needs. Sickle cell is a complex biopsychosocial condition affecting every blood vessel, organ, and system in the body. While its severity impacts each individual uniquely, sickle cell’s most common visible presentation is excruciating, unpredictable pain. However, the condition’s less visible complications of continual hemolytic anemia and vascular and organ damage are silent, but life-shortening, ramifications suffered by every individual with sickle cell. OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN - SHARE - DISCOVER Anniversary STATE OF SICKLE CELL DISEASE EXPLORE TREATMENTS WAYS TO ENGAGE WITH SCDAA-MI NEWS & MEDIA SPONSORS & ALLIANCES QUESTIONS ABOUT HYDROXYUREA WE'RE NOW WORKING REMOTELY TO HELP PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY. PLEASE CALL FOR ASSISTANCE. THANK YOU! DETROIT OFFICE 18516 James Couzens Fwy Detroit, MI 48235 Mon - Fri: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Special Event Hours as Posted CONTACT US Detroit/SE Mich: (313) 864-4406 or ( 800) 842-0973 Children's Hospital SC Clinic: (313) 745-5613 Sickle Cell Trait Counseling: (313) 864-4406 School/Job Assistance: (313) 595-0541 Email: info@scdaami.org SATELLITE OFFICES Adult Clinic Caseworker: (313) 864-4406 Benton Harbor/Kalamazoo Area: (269) 927-5629 Grand Rapids/Muskegon Area: (616) 788-9816 Jackson/Lansing Area: (517) 249-3528 Saginaw/Flint Area: (989) 755-7752

Sickle Cell Disease Association of America - Michigan Chapter Staff Tracie L. Conic, M.A., B.S.W Director of Client Services/HIPAA Compliance Officer Tonya Ashwood-Malone Data Manager Donell R. Love, B.S.W. Community Health Worker/Patient Advocate Detroit Michael Copeland, B.S. Community Health Worker/Patient Advocate Grand Rapids/Muskegon Area Jessica Williams Program Assistant Krystin Martinez, B.S. Community Health Worker/Patient Advocate Saginaw/Flint Area Melanie Greer, B.S. Community Health Worker/Patient Advocate Benton Harbor/Kalamazoo Craig Bradley Director of Operations & Outreach Kristal Johnson-Cobb Administrative Assistant Cree King-Jackson Executive Assistant/Newborn Screening Assistant Clifton Kirkman II Social Media Specialist Jerica McBride, M.A. Education/Career Coordinator Vacant Community Health Worker/Patient Advocate Lansing/Jackson Area Richard Reed Finance Manager Wanda Whitten-Shurney, M.D. CEO & Medical Director our staff

News media releases and alerts from SCDAA-MI press releases 2019-20 Press Releases September 17, 2020: MEDIA ALERT: SCDAA-MI marks Sickle Cell Awareness Month with walk, ER call-to-action June 12, 2020: SCDAA-MI “Shines the Light” for World Sickle Cell Day, June 19 February 26, 2020: SCDAA-MI Announces SAFE(R) Initiative to Improve Emergency Sickle Cell Care November 20, 2019: Dr. Wanda Shurney Responds to FDA's Approval of Adakveo Top FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 17, 2020 ***MEDIA ALERT*** SCDAA-MI marks Sickle Cell Awareness Month with walk, ER call-to-action Virtual walk participants encouraged to “move how you choose” on Sept. 19 Physician, hospital partners urged to take a stand for SAFER sickle cell care WHAT: The annual Sickle Cell Matters Walk raises consciousness around the most common genetic disorder in the U.S., but this year it happens from wherever participants are. More than just an awareness event, SCDAA-MI’s walk raises funds, promotes the need for additional sickle cell research, and combats medical inequities often faced by sickle cell patients. #SickleCellMatters #SickleCellMattersWalkMI #SickleCellLivesMatter WHO: SCDAA-MI CEO & Medical Director, Wanda Whitten-Shurney, M.D.; Honorary Chair Deborah Smith-Pollard, co-host of “Sunday Morning Inspiration” on MIX 92.3 FM and Professor of English Literature at the University of Michigan-Dearborn; Honorary Co-Chair, Ahmar Zaidi, M.D., a Pediatric Oncologist/Hematologist, in the Comprehensive Sickle Cell Clinic at Children’s Hospital of Michigan, and nationally known SCD advocate known to most as “Dr. Z.” Event sponsors: (Diamond Presenting) Global Blood Therapeutics and Emmaus Life Sciences; (Silver) Novartis, Medunik USA, and Wayne County Community College District; (Copper) Pfizer and Functional Fluidics. WHY: Though medically recognized more than 100 years ago, it was only the introduction of prophylactic penicillin in the 70s and subsequent comprehensive pediatric efforts that now allow most individuals with sickle cell to live far beyond childhood and well into adulthood. However, there are just four disease-modifying treatments available to sickle cell patients, with two of those achieving FDA approval less than a year ago. Most patients, then, resort to emergency department care for sickle cell’s unpredictable, indescribable pain crises. Once there, only about one in four patients receives the standard of care described in current guidelines and many studies have shown that patients do not receive treatment for their pain as soon as, or in appropriate doses as, other patients, according to the U.S. Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health. WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 19 WHERE: The virtual Sickle Cell Matters online program premiers at 10 a.m. EST on SCDAA-MI’s YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChFCW2PqipdZiRKcb16Z5Gw ) and Facebook Live @SickleCellMichigan. Interested hospital and physician partners can learn more and partner with SAFER at www.scdaami.org/sicklecell911. MEDIA CONTACT: Stefanie Worth | email: worths@scdaami.org ABOUT SCDAA-MI: Our Mission: To maximize the quality of life of individuals living with sickle cell disease. To enable individuals with sickle cell trait to make informed decisions with respect to family planning. To provide education and testing for the general public. Founded in 1971 by Charles F. Whitten, M.D., the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America – Michigan Chapter, provides education, assistance, and advocacy for individuals living with and families affected by sickle cell disease. Other services include counseling, support groups, referrals for financial assistance and medical care. SCDAA-MI connects students and job seekers with school, college and employment assistance; sends children to summer camp each year, and works to raise public awareness. The agency also serves as the coordinating center for the newborn sickle cell screening program for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. SCDAA-MI’s services are available throughout Michigan and span lifetime needs. For more information, visit www.scdaami.org or call 313-864-4406. ### BACK TO THE TOP 2020 walk SCDAA-MI “Shines the Light” for World Sickle Cell Day, June 19 Supporters are asked to #MaskUp4SickleCell, celebrate community grads, and recognize #SickleSabbath JUNE 12, 2020 PRESS RELEASE PDF CONTACT : Stefanie Worth Sickle Cell Disease is the most prevalent inheritable blood disorder in the country, affecting 70,000 – 100,000 individuals, most of whom are African American. “It’s a blood disease, not a black disease,” says Dr. Wanda Whitten-Shurney, citing one of the takeaways her agency and other community-based sickle cell organizations want people to learn through this year’s World Sickle Cell Day events. Sickle cell is genetic – not contagious – and most common among people of African descent and those of Latin American and Middle Eastern heritage, but can affect anyone of any race. “We have an entire weekend of activities that include generating awareness, honoring our graduates, and learning during worship,” says Shurney, CEO and Medical Director of the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America – Michigan Chapter Inc. “We’re sending our message out into the world to create change on behalf of a group of individuals who were born with a disease that is almost always automatically discriminated against.” Efforts for World Sickle Cell Day, Friday, June 19, aim to enlighten the community-at-large. A social media blitz featuring the hashtags #MaskUpForSickleCell and #BehindTheMask will feature photos of patients, caregivers and allies in red masks telling their stories and sharing key messages: Sickle cell disease affects individuals of all races. It’s a BLOOD disease, not a Black disease. It is in your genes. It is NOT contagious. Individuals with sickle cell disease are not drug addicts, they need pain relief. If both parents have sickle cell trait they can have a child with sickle cell disease. GET TESTED to know for sure. Though medically recognized more than 100 years ago, it was only the introduction of prophylactic penicillin in the 70s and subsequent comprehensive pediatric efforts that now allow most individuals with sickle cell to live far beyond childhood and well into adulthood. To help celebrate their milestones, World Sickle Cell Day continues on Saturday, June 20 with a Virtual Graduation Open House for students finishing high school, trade school or college. On Sunday, June 21, World Sickle Cell Day attention turns to houses of worship varying in size, denomination and membership composition for Sickle Sabbath. This outreach effort focuses on educating people about sickle cell trait, which is carried by approximately 1 in 12 African Americans. SCT is also found among people with ancestry from sub-Saharan Africa; the Western Hemisphere (South America, the Caribbean, and Central America); Saudi Arabia; India; and Mediterranean countries such as Turkey, Greece, and Italy according to the Centers for Disease Control. “Sickle cell disease starts with sickle cell trait” is the message churches are asked to carry to their congregations along with information about chances of inheritance and challenges of the disease. “This is an impactful time in America and we hope that World Sickle Cell Day can build on the Black Lives Matter movement to create real change in medical settings for people with sickle cell. I’m calling on my colleagues who knelt in solidarity with White Coats For Black Lives to create a movement that makes the emergency rooms and hospitals safe spaces for sickle cell patients,” says Shurney. “The hallmark of sickle cell is excruciating, unpredictable pain that often drives patients to seek care in emergency departments,” Shurney continues. “These are individuals who’ve often lived with pain since childhood and – being good patients – know their bodies and what they need to control their pain, which is typically opioids. Yet they arrive at hospitals seeking relief and are often accused of being there just to get drugs. You would think they’d be treated like a Type 1 diabetic who shows up needing care and knows their proper insulin dosage, but they’re not.” In February, SCDAA-MI launched its SAFE(R) initiative to help counter this reality. SAFE(R) provides medical professionals with quick access to an online portal at SCDAAMI.org/SickleCell911 that provides clinical practice guidelines for sickle cell established by the National Institutes of Health, sickle cell-specific opioid guidance from the CDC, and emergency room triage guidelines from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, as well as best practices and recommendations from the American Society for Hematology and other leading experts in sickle cell treatment. Only about one in four patients with sickle cell disease receives the standard of care described in current guidelines, and many studies have shown that patients do not receive treatment for their pain as soon as, or in appropriate doses as, other patients, according to the U.S. Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health. “The world is at a crossroads and so is sickle cell disease. Two new medications were approved by the FDA for treatment at the end of 2019. Yet, patients still face barriers accessing these meds and receiving competent, compassionate medical care,” says Shurney. “Too many providers still don’t know how to properly treat sickle cell patients. Stereotypical biases prevent many individuals from receiving care according to nationally established guidelines – or any care at all. “We have a long way to go to reach health equity where sickle cell is concerned. Now is a great time to start.” BACK TO THE TOP SCDAA-MI ANNOUNCES SAFE(R) INITIATIVE TO IMPROVE EMERGENCY SICKLE CELL CARE Effort aims to assist medical community in proper treatment of long-misunderstood disease February 26, 2020 PRESS RELEASE PDF CONTACT : Stefanie Worth Today, the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America - Michigan Chapter launched a new initiative designed to help advance the care and well-being of individuals living with sickle cell disease. The initiative, known as SAFE(R) , provides medical professionals with quick access to an online portal at SCDAAMI.org/SickleCell911 that provides clinical practice guidelines for sickle cell established by the National Institutes of Health, sickle cell-specific opioid guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, as well as best practices and recommendations from the American Society of Hematology and other leading experts in sickle cell treatment. Though medically recognized more than 100 years ago, it was only the introduction of prophylactic penicillin in the 80s and subsequent comprehensive pediatric efforts that now allow most individuals with sickle cell to live far beyond childhood, although their lifespan still falls short of the national average by about 30 years. Yet, while research and treatments for the disease are now gaining more attention, individual’s lives are at stake daily due to a lack of adult medical providers trained in sickle cell’s complexities. In fact, there is a peak in mortality at the time of transition from pediatric to adult care. “For more than 30 years, I’ve had the privilege of serving as pediatrician to Michigan children with sickle cell disease – caring for them and their families, and advocating for their needs. Along with my colleagues across the country, we’ve achieved levels of success in their healthcare that my father only dreamed of when he started SCDAA-MI 49 years ago,” says Dr. Wanda Whitten-Shurney, CEO and Medical Director. “Now we’ve reached this pivotal point in sickle cell history where research and treatment possibilities are at an all-time high, yet, we are losing far too many patients we’ve brought all this way for the past four decades to a medical system unprepared to receive them.” The emergency room – a frequent stop for our patients – is an extremely perilous place for adults. Individuals out-of-state have often reached out to their former pediatricians at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Sickle Cell Clinic asking them to coach a doctor in charge of their care unfamiliar with the disease. The situation has produced a skepticism among patients that they’ll be adequately cared for, sometimes causing them to take their chances and not go to the ED at all. Central, then, to the SAFE(R) Initiative is the wallet-sized Sickle Cell 911 (SCD911) card, which directs providers to the SAFE(R) site at SCDAAMI.org/SickleCell911 . In addition to guidelines, recommendations and best practices, the medical professional-focused pages also provide educational resources about the disease and its potential complications. Sickle cell patients are advised to carry the SCD911 card with them and present it when they need emergency care – whether at home or away. Patients and caregivers have shared stories about ED providers resorting to the internet or medical journals to find information about treating the disease. The SAFE(R) initiative puts that information at providers’ fingertips in an easily accessible and usable format, hopefully saving crucial acute care time that in turn leads to saving lives. “I’m appealing – no, challenging – my counterparts in adult primary, specialty, and emergency medicine to partner with us in changing this narrative by committing to SAFE(R) treatment. It’s time for a plot twist, so to speak, and we invite you to help re-write the future chapters of the sickle cell story. Patients throughout Michigan are looking for SAFE(R) spaces for care every day. Let us know we can confidently refer them to you and your health systems for this compassionate, equitable, and guideline-based treatment. History will thank you and so will we.” BACK TO THE TOP Dr. Wanda Shurney Responds to FDA's Approval of Adakveo First targeted treatment sparks excitement and hope among doctors and those living with the debilitating condition November 20, 2019 PRESS RELEASE PDF CONTACT : Stefanie Worth Friday, the FDA gave its approval for Adakveo (crizanlizumab-tmca) , the first targeted therapy to treat pain in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). “This medication is a potential game changer in the quest for better treatment for patients with sickle cell disease (SCD),” said Wanda Whitten-Shurney, M.D., CEO and Medical Director of the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America - Michigan Chapter (SCDAAMI). “We are excited that after 109 years, individuals with SCD can finally say there is a medication developed specifically for them. For 20 years our patients had only one disease modifying medication, hydroxyurea. “Unfortunately, because it is a drug used to treat cancer, many physicians are hesitant to prescribe it and many patients are afraid to take it – leaving supportive care such as blood transfusions, antibiotics for infections, and potent narcotics for essential pain relief as their only options,” said Dr. Shurney. First recognized by the medical community in the United States in 1910, SCD is a genetic condition inherited from two parents who carry the gene for sickle cell trait. The hallmark of the disease is episodes of unpredictable and often excruciating pain due to crescent- (sickle) shaped red blood cells that block the flow of blood, and therefore the delivery of oxygen, to vital organs. These red blood cells are also fragile and break down early causing anemia and fatigue. The newly-approved Adakveo targets the episodes of pain frequently referred to as a pain crisis. “We hear story after story from patients in genuine need of significant pain treatment being denied the compassionate and competent care they desperately need and deserve because many in the medical community are unsure, uncomfortable, or unaware of how to best treat sickle cell patients,” said Dr. Shurney. “Patients in crisis are often questioned about the validity of their symptoms and assumed to be ‘drug seeking’.” This problem is exacerbated by the current opioid crisis. In addition to her role at the SCDAAMI – fondly known as the Sickle Cell Center throughout the community – Dr. Shurney has been a familiar face to many families whose children have been patients at the Comprehensive Sickle Cell Clinic at Children’s Hospital of Michigan during her 30-year career providing out-patient care with an emphasis on education and coping strategies. She has worked relentlessly to help kids and their families manage the chronic ailment while enjoying healthier, more active lives. Many of her patients are now adults – something unheard of 30 or 40 years ago. “Thanks to advances like the administration of penicillin to give children with SCD a fighting chance against infection, we’re now seeing many patients living a closer to normal lifespan, but they are still faced with significant challenges,” said Dr. Shurney. “This illness can disrupt every aspect of the family’s life. Children miss school, parents and adults miss work which can result in termination of employment and the resultant financial strain on the family. Frequent trips to the doctor and repeated hospitalization are an additional burden. Many individuals have some level of pain every single day. After 109 years, it is past time to improve life and offer hope to this patient population.” Though numbers are thought to be higher, an estimated 100,000 individuals in the U.S. currently live with some form of the debilitating and life-threatening disease. Comparatively, there are about 30,000 people with cystic fibrosis and 20,000 people (predominantly men) with hemophilia.1 Yet, despite three to five times as many people living with SCD, the disease remains widely unknown, misunderstood, and poorly resourced. “This in the face of the fact that SCD primarily affects people of color - mostly African Americans and Latinos, but also East Indians, Greeks, Italians, individuals from the Middle East, and other people from malaria-afflicted parts of the world,” said Dr. Shurney. The disease is an evolutionary response to malaria: Those with sickle cell trait are less likely to get malaria. But nature’s protective mechanism brought about its own unbearable consequences. “Thanks to the Orphan Drug Act, there are numerous promising clinical trials underway. We are also encouraged by the National Institutes of Health’s Cure Sickle Cell Initiative striving for a genetic cure in the next five to 10 years,” said Dr. Shurney. “The FDA’s approval of Adakveo is a big step in the right direction. Our next challenge is to make sure the medication is accessible to the patients who so desperately need it. Individuals with sickle cell disease are living longer, but we are also focused on improving their quality of life.” 1 Cystic fibrosis and hemophilia statistics courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control at www.cdc.gov 2020 World Sickle Cell Day SAFER launch Adakveo BACK TO THE TOP

WAYS TO GIVE Donate online here Host a Facebook fundraiser: Birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, Mondays - any day is a good day to rally your Facebook friends around our cause. Become a Sponsor Every year we host our Sickle Cell Matters Annual Walk that is either virtual or in person at the Charles H Wright African American Museum in Detroit, Michigan. The proceeds for this fundraiser are designated to our client assistance funds, tutoring and camp for individuals living with sickle cell conditions. Click here for more information about how to become a sponsor. Donate and Advocate for Sickle Cell Disease in one easy step: Support individuals and families affected by sickle cell disease by purchasing a Michigan Sickle Cell Awareness license plate . Click here to learn more about it . Kroger: Register your Kroger Rewards Card online at Kroger.com/communityrewards Enter SICKLE CELL DISEASE ASSOICATION OF AMERICA MI CHPT or 91452. (Sorry, but that is how it's spelled on that site!) Individual purchases will begin counting towards your organization within 7-10 days of registering the individual rewards cards on-line. Every time you shop for groceries and swipe your card, SCDAA-MI automatically starts earning a rebate. Kroger limits your quarterly household contribution to $300. By check or money order, mail to: SCDAAMI, 18516 James Couzens Fwy, Detroit MI 48235 CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS Donating to SCDAA-MI benefits the thousands of individuals who depend on our education, advocacy and awareness efforts. It also benefits your corporate responsibility goals. For more information, contact Craig Bradley, Director of Operations & Outreach at 313-864.4406, ext. 111. WHY DONATE? With more than 4,000 people in Michigan living with sickle cell and approximately 3,000 of those people living in the metro Detroit area, our programs and services impact individuals, their families, and the community at large. Sickle cell affects three times as many people as cystic fibrosis in the U.S., yet receives approximately one-third the funding. Your support helps provide year-round education for physicians, patients and caregivers; appropriate medical care, trait testing campaigns, self-sustainability work, and more. Modern medicine has the capacity to help people with sickle cell thrive. Individuals living with the condition want improved quality of life and it’s our mission to make that happen. ways 2give QUICK ACCESS MENU DONATE FACEBOOK KROGER LICENSE PLATE SPONSORSHIPS QUESTIONS?

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Sickle Cell 911 provides fast, simple access to NIH recommendations and guidelines in treating acute sickle cell complications. SICKLE CELL 911: FAST ACCESS TO GUIDELINES & BETTER CARE Empowering medical professionals to implement evidence-based sickle cell action. Amplifying the patient's voice in care. OPIOIDS & SCD NIH GUIDELINES COMPLICATIONS ASH POCKET GUIDES ABOUT SAFE(R) SCD EDUCATION Learn more about implementing SAFER for sickle cell patients in your medical practice, facility, hospital system or agency.

Catch up on news and information from the SCDAA-MI E- newsletters Read the latest news SUBSCRIBE TO OUR E-NEWS September 2020 Special Edition Read web version Download PDF Summer 2020 (August) Read web version Download PDF World Sickle Cell Day Alert Read web version Download PDF Spring 2020 (April) Read web version Download PDF January 2020 (Winter) Read web version Download PDF November 2019 Read web version Download PDF

client feedback Volunteer Photo Release Client Feedback Your voice matters! SCDAA-MI has been helping improve the lives of individuals with sickle cell for nearly half a century. How are we doing? We'd like to hear from you to help shape our work for the next 50 years. Use the form below to tell us how we've been able to help you, what we can do better, and to share your ideas for other services. Thanks for sharing your feedback!

community resources Connect to services that can help meet your basic and emergency needs Out-state resources coming soon! Click here for an additional list of COVID-19 specific resources. Top Education Mental Health Clothing Internet & Device Access Housing/Shelter Food All Services All Services Food Education ALL SERVICES Locate various community resources by zip code https://navigator.familydoctor.org/ THAW The Heat and Warmth Fund Thaw has funds available throut the Michigan Energy Assistance program. If you or someone you know needs assistance with their utilities click on the link above for more on how to get help. United Way 2-1-1 United Way for Southeast Michigan's 2-1-1 service provides referrals to programs in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Monroe and Lapeer counties, connecting users with more than 30,000 service providers throughout the state that can help with food, housing, utilities, medical bills, and more. You can get information online at United Way 2-1-1 , or by dialing 2-1-1 (or 1-800-552-1183 ). FOOD Locate food banks by zip code https://www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank Detroit-area food banks and kitchens Gleaners Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan - 2131 Beaufait St., Detroit, MI 48207, (866) 453-2637 Forgotten Harvest - A lways check location sites and bring a picture ID Yad Ezra Lighthouse Food Pantry City of Detroit Food Pickup Capuchin Soup Kitchen - (313) 579-2700 Redford Interfaith Relief - ( 313) 387.9802 CARES in Farmington Hills - (248) 474-8231 (Call to make an appointment for the food pantry.) HOUSING/SHELTER Wayne County Covenant House (housing, food, basic necessities such as showers, laundry, etc) Detroit Phoenix Center (Housing, Food assistance) Wayne Metro Community Action Agency Detroit Housing Commission Detroit Housing Wayne County Department of Health and Human Services Wayne (branches listed by zip code) United Community Housing Coalition , (313) 963-3310 Health Emergency Lifeline Program, 1726 Howard St., Detroit, MI 48216, (313) 832-3300 Oakland County The Sanctuary – Common Ground , 1228 S. Washington, Royal Oak, MI 48067, (248) 547-2260 INTERNET & DEVICE ACCESS FCC program for eligible households to provide low cost telephone and broadband internet service (Michigan is a participating state) Some internet providers are offering free services to low-income families and households with students. Free Comcast Xfinity internet: Comcast Xfinity is currently offering its Internet Essentials program free for two months to new customers. The internet provider is also automatically increasing speeds for all Internet Essentials customers. Comcast Xfinity Wi-Fi hotspots are also open and free to use by anyone. Free internet for students from Charter Spectrum: Households with students K–12 or university students can sign up for a new Charter Spectrum internet account to get the first two months of internet with speeds up to 100 Mbps for free. Installation fees will be waived for those who qualify for the offer. Call 1-844-488-8395 to enroll. Spectrum Wi-Fi hotspots are also currently open and free to use. Free internet for students from Altice : Altice internet providers Suddenlink and Optimum are offering 60 days of free internet service for households with K–12 or college students. Internet speeds are up to 30 Mbps if you do not already have access to a home internet plan. To sign up, call 1-866-200-9522 if you live in an area with Optimum internet service, or call 1-888-633-0030 if you live in an area with Suddenlink internet service. AT&T : https://www.att.com/help/covid-19/ CLOTHING ● Salvation Army , Detroit: (313) 897-2914 ● Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries - (313) 366-3409 ● Christ Church of Redford - (313) 534-3436 ● Redford Interfaith Relief - (313) 387-9802 ● CARES in Farmington Hills - (248) 882-7800 MENTAL HEALTH & SUICIDE PREVENTION Michigan Mental Health Networker National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 1 (800) SUICIDE (English) 1 (877) SUICIDA (Spanish) DetoxRehabs.net 24/7 Treatment call 1 (888)859-4403 EDUCATION For FREE COLLEGE click here!!! For those of you who are interested, the Michigan Reconnect is providing free tuition at your in-district community college to earn an associate degree or Pell-eligible skill certificate if you're 25+! Mental Health Housing Internet Clothing Back to the top Back to the top Back to the top SCDAA-MI’s services are available throughout Michigan and span lifetime needs. For more information: Call 313-864-4406 Email info@scdaami.org Contact our nearest satellite office: Adult Clinic Caseworker at DMC: (313) 864-4406 Benton Harbor/Kalamazoo Area: (313) 505-4081 Grand Rapids/Muskegon Area: (616) 426-9259 Jackson/Lansing Area: (800) 842-0973 Saginaw/Flint Area: (989) 372-025

sickle cell treatments While there is no universal cure for sickle cell disease (yet), there are several therapeutic approaches to relieve symptoms, reduce complications, and extend life. Early treatment (by eight weeks) by a hematologist is critical for newborns. Beginning a course of prophylactic penicillin at age two months was a historic intervention in changing the course of childhood sickle cell survival. View our Feb. 29th Treatment Workshop where we discussed all the current treatments available to cure sickle cell. CLICK TO PLAY ON FACEBOOK Part 1 with Dr. Wanda Whitten-Shurney (44 mins) CLICK TO PLAY ON FACEBOOK Part 2 with Dr. Ahmar Zaidi (58 mins) The only cure for sickle cell disease is a bone marrow or stem cell transplant. Most sickle cell disease transplants are currently performed in children who have had complications such as strokes, acute chest crises, and recurring pain crises. These transplants usually use a matched donor. Blood and bone marrow transplants are riskier in adults. Read more Medicines can reduce or alleviate symptoms and complications and prolong life. Penicillin In children who have sickle cell disease, taking penicillin two times a day has been shown to reduce the chance of having a severe infection caused by the pneumococcus bacteria. Newborns need to take liquid penicillin. Older children can take tablets. Many doctors will stop prescribing penicillin after a child has reached the age of 5. Some prefer to continue this antibiotic throughout life, particularly if a person has hemoglobin SS or hemoglobin Sβ0 thalassemia, since people who have sickle cell disease are still at risk. All people who have had surgical removal of the spleen, called a splenectomy, or a past infection with pneumococcus should keep taking penicillin throughout life. Hydroxyurea Hydroxyurea is an oral medicine that has been shown to reduce or prevent several sickle cell disease complications. This medicine was studied in patients who have sickle cell disease, because it was known to increase the amount of fetal hemoglobin (hemoglobin F) in the blood. Increased hemoglobin F provides some protection against the effects of hemoglobin S. Watch Dr. Shurney’s animated video about Hydroxyurea and how it works Endari Approved by the FDA for sickle cell use in 2017, Endari is an oral L-glutamine therapy for sickle cell disease and sickle cell thalassemia that reduces the acute complications of sickle cell disease in adults and children 5 years and older. It works by increasing the amount of glutamine in the blood. The added glutamine is taken up by the defective sickle cells, and when metabolized (broken down) results in the release of antioxidants.Common side effects include constipation, nausea, headache, abdominal pain, cough, pain in the extremities, back pain and chest pain. Patient web site Endari co-pay assistance Adakveo In 2019, the FDA also approved a new medicine to reduce the number of pain crises experienced by adults and children 16 years and older who have sickle cell disease. The medicine, which is given through an IV in the vein, helps prevent blood cells from sticking to blood vessel walls and causing blood flow blockage, inflammation, and pain crises. Possible side effects include nausea, joint pain, back pain, and fever. Patient resources web site Downloadable patient brochure Oxbryta The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new medicine in 2019 to treat sickle cell disease in adults and children 12 years and older. The oral medicine prevents red blood cells from forming the sickle shape and binding together. This may decrease the destruction of some red blood cells, which in turn lowers the risk for anemia and improves blood flow to your organs. Possible side effects include headache, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, fatigue, and fever. Rarely, allergic reactions may occur, causing rashes, hives, or mild shortness of breath. Talk to your doctor about other medicines you take. Patient web site Caregiver tips Downloadable patient information leaflet Transfusions are often used in acute or preventive situations. Transfusions are administered to treat and prevent certain sickle cell disease complications. These transfusions may include: Acute transfusion to treat complications that cause severe anemia. Doctors may also use transfusions when a patient has an acute stroke, in many cases of acute chest crises, and in multi-organ failure. A patient who has sickle cell disease usually receives blood transfusions before surgery, to prevent complications. Red blood cell transfusions to increase the number of red blood cells and provide normal red blood cells that are more flexible than red blood cells with sickle hemoglobin. Regular or ongoing blood transfusions for people who have had an acute stroke, to reduce the chances of having another stroke. Doctors also recommend blood transfusions for children who have abnormal transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasound results, because transfusions can reduce the chance of having a first stroke. There are other treatments for specific complications. Be mindful that not all treatments work for everyone. Some people find success with alternative treatments as well, including medical marijuana (be knowledgeable about legalities that may impact school, work and overall health). To stay as healthy as possible, patients should be sure to get regular medical care that includes a pediatrician (for children) or primary care physician (for adults) and a hematologist and work with them to create the best individual care plan. Patients should also live a healthy lifestyle and avoid triggers that may cause a pain crisis. Page sources: NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, FDA.gov, Endari, Adakveo, Oxbryta

sickle cell disease Living with sickle cell disease isn't easy, but proper knowledge about the condition will help patients live a longer, healthier life and guide trait carriers in making educated child-bearing decisions. Symptoms & Complications Sickle cell trait Top A history of sickle cell What Is Sickle Cell Disease? Sickle cell is an inherited blood disorder in which the red blood cells change their shape. It is a genetic abnormality and is caused by an abnormal type of hemoglobin, called hemoglobin S or sickle hemoglobin. Normal red blood cells have a disc-like shape, but in patients of sickle cell disease, they take on a crescent or sickle shape. Normal blood cells carry oxygen to the body, but altered cells cannot move easily through your blood vessels, which affects the oxygen supply. These altered cells cannot carry oxygen properly because when they release oxygen, it sticks together and changes the shape of the red blood cell. Prevalence of Sickle Cell Disease Sickle cell has existed for thousands of years and millions of people around the world suffer from the disease, but it's more common in people with an African bloodline. It is also quite common in people whose ancestors come from the Arabian Peninsula; Mediterranean countries such as Turkey, Greece, and Italy; Central America; Spanish-speaking regions in South America; and parts of the Caribbean. As a whole, it affects approximately 100,000 Americans and is the most common heritable blood disorder in the U.S. How Do You Inherit Sickle Cell Disease? Sickle cell disease is not contagious – you're born with it. A child may have this disease when he/she inherits one hemoglobin S gene from each parent. About 1 in every 365 African American babies are born with sickle cell each year and. While the disease primarily affects African Americans and people of color - including individuals of Hispanic and Middle Eastern descent, anyone can inherit sickle cell if the genetics are in place. There are also other sickle cell mutations, including Hemoglobin SC disease and hemoglobin Sβ thalassemia, the two most common. Sickle Cell Trait If you inherit only one sickle hemoglobin gene from a parent you will carry the sickle cell trait. While the trait was once thought to be innocuous, in recent years more has been learned about carriers. People with the trait are more likely to suffer from conditions such as urinary tract infections or blood in the urine. Even athletes with sickle cell trait are now advised to take special precautions with their health. Learn more about sickle cell trait sickle cell trait Artwork copyright Ebony.com . Explore More In-Depth Information American Society of Hematology ASH Centers for Disease Control CDC National Institutes of Health NIH Back to the top Sickle Cell Disease: Milestones in Research and Clinical Progress (REVISED September 2018) - download here History A History of Sickle Cell Download the PDF here Back to the top

Additional resources to support your needs during the COVID-19 pandemic Food Mental Health Internet Talking With Kids Education Ways to Connect 2-1-1 Top Job Info Locate various community resources by zip code https://navigator.familydoctor.org/ Food Locate food banks by zip code https://www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank Several school districts are offering “grab and go” food pick up for students during the COVID-19 outbreak. These organizations are assisting as well: Gleaners Food Bank Forgotten Harvest Yad Ezra Lighthouse Food Pantry City of Detroit Food Pickup Mental Health 24/7 365 Disaster Distress Hotline to assist with emotional distress due to pandemic Free online COVID-19 support group Coping With Coronavirus Anxiety - Reading from Harvard Health Be The Match® is now offering free counseling services to sickle cell warriors and their loved ones. One of their licensed social workers can provide you with one-on-one support for personal and emotional issues. Request a connection today. Internet & Device Access FCC program for eligible households to provide low cost telephone and broadband internet service (Michigan is a participating state) Some internet providers are offering free services to low-income families and households with students. Free Comcast Xfinity internet: Comcast Xfinity is currently offering its Internet Essentials program free for two months to new customers. The internet provider is also automatically increasing speeds for all Internet Essentials customers. Comcast Xfinity Wi-Fi hotspots are also open and free to use by anyone. Free internet for students from Charter Spectrum: Households with students K–12 or university students can sign up for a new Charter Spectrum internet account to get the first two months of internet with speeds up to 100 Mbps for free. Installation fees will be waived for those who qualify for the offer. Call 1-844-488-8395 to enroll. Spectrum Wi-Fi hotspots are also currently open and free to use. Free internet for students from Altice: Altice internet providers Suddenlink and Optimum are offering 60 days of free internet service for households with K–12 or college students. Internet speeds are up to 30 Mbps if you do not already have access to a home internet plan. To sign up, call 1-866-200-9522 if you live in an area with Optimum internet service, or call 1-888-633-0030 if you live in an area with Suddenlink internet service. Free low-income internet from Cox: Until May 12, 2020, Cox is offering the first month of its low-income internet program, Connect2Compete , for free. The internet service is also providing free phone and remote desktop support for technical support during that time. AT&T: https://www.att.com/help/covid-19/ Talking with your children about COVID-19 Talking to Children About COVID-19: National Association of School Psychologists Coping with Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks : Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration Talking with Children about Coronavirus : CDC Helping Children Cope with Emergencies : CDC How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus : PBS Kids Should children be gathering while school is not in session? CDC Recommendation : Discourage children and teens from gathering in other public places while school is dismissed to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in the community Coronavirus is Here. Should Kids Still Have Playdates ? Fatherly Magazine Educational Websites and Apps Guidance and a variety of good online resources are available on the Common Sense Media website. All Subjects ABC Mouse (Free 30 day trial) Khan Academy Khan Academy Kids Wonderopolis Parent Toolkit Literacy Scholastic Learn at Home Starfall Audible (free audio stories for kids) Math Code.org Tynker - Free coding courses for all grades Solve Me Puzzles - puzzles that use mathematical thinking PBS Kids Math Games Science & Social Studies Mystery Doug National Geographic Kids Science Journal for Kids Enrichment Activities Fun Games PBS Kids Typing.com Movement & Mindfulness Headspace Go Noodle Mindfulness Moments Virtual Tours Museum Virtual Tours NASA Images and Video Library Cranbrook Art Museum virtual tour Ways to connect Adobe Connect (Free 90 day trial) Facetime Skype Google Hangouts United Way 2-1-1 United Way for Southeast Michigan's 2-1-1 service provides referrals to programs in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Monroe and Lapeer counties, connecting users with more than 30,000 service providers throughout the state. You can get information online at United Way 2-1-1 , or by dialing 2-1-1 (or 1-800-552-1183 ). Returning to Work Michigan information for employers and employees Michigan guidance for manufacturing workers returning to work Template letters from SCDAA for physicians to provide patients and caregivers Food resources Mental Health resources Internet and device access Talking with your kids Education and enrichment Ways to connect United Way 211 Back to the top Back to the top Back to the top COVID-19 Information From Michigan Health Departments Berrien County here Genesee County here Ingham County here Kent County here Lenawee County here Macomb County here Michigan Department of Health & Human Services here Oakland County here Saginaw County here Washtenaw County here Wayne County here MI Health Depts Job Info