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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. Thank you 2025 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: (800) 842-0973

about us The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America - Michigan Chapter has been a leader in the sickle cell community since 1971. We are committed to improving the lives of people with sickle cell by keeping our mission at the center of everything we do. OUR HISTORY The History Maker Our success all started with the vision of Dr. Charles F. Whitten. His daughter Dr. Wanda Whitten-Shurney continues the work. Read More > OUR IMPACT EVERYBODY COUNTS Numbers, numbers, numbers. But here at SCDAA-MI, every statistic represents a real person we fight for every day. Read More > OUR BOARD LEADERSHIP MATTERS Our board members provide mission and operational oversight with passion, dedication, and expertise. Read More > OUR CEO SICKLE CELL CENTER Our CEO brings passion and drive on raising awareness in the community and helping individuals with sickle cell disease living a more comfortable lifestyle. She maximizes profits and provides leadership skills to fulfill the mission of the organization. Read More >

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OUR MISSION​  To maximize the life potential of individuals living with sickle cell disease To enable individuals with sickle cell trait to make plans our history The History of the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America – Michigan Chapter The Passion Continues OUR MISSION To maximize the life potential 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 SCDAA-MI’s story began in August of 1971 at Kirwood Hospital when renowned pediatrician and sickle cell expert Dr. Charles F. Whitten founded the Sickle Cell Detection and Information Program. The agency’s creation was just one achievement on Dr. Whitten’s lengthy list of accomplishments. In 1956, he’d been selected as clinical director of pediatrics at Detroit Receiving Hospital – the first African American in the role. In 1960, he and Dr. Charles Wright founded the African Medical Education Fund. Nearly a decade later, he instituted Wayne State University’s Post Baccalaureate Enrichment Program after noticing that black students often needed additional preparation for medical school. Then in 1971 he formed the “Sickle Cell Center,” and along with Dorothy Boswell formed the National Association for Sickle Cell Disease (now the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America) that same year. He led the national organization for nearly 20 years. Over its 48 year history, the SCDAA-MI has held fast to its mission of improving the lives of individuals with sickle cell disease. Meanwhile, it has also grown in scope in response to evolving medical and social demands. Still situated on Detroit’s northwest side, in the original building of its founding, the agency completed purchase of its interconnected stretch of buildings in 1990. The structure contains 14 offices, a laboratory where free trait and disease screening is conducted, a conference room, and an educational wing. There is also ample outdoor space for client activities. SCDAA-MI is one of the only community-based organizations in the country responsible for overseeing a state-wide sickle cell program. After Dr. Whitten passed away in 2008, his daughter Wanda Whitten-Shurney, M.D. – a beloved pediatrician as well – stepped away from her role as Director of the Comprehensive Sickle Cell at Clinic Children’s Hospital of Michigan and assumed leadership of SCDAA-MI. Currently its CEO & Medical Director, she continues to steer the agency and manages to carve out time to care for newly-diagnosed infants at CHM as well. Dr. Shurney has been a familiar and caring face to hundreds of families whose children have received their out-patient care from her during her 30-year career. She has worked relentlessly to help kids and their families manage sickle cell, emphasizing education and coping strategies to help individuals enjoy healthier, more active lives. She also a member of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Sickle Cell Advisory Committee . Her passion for sickle cell patients and the people who love them continues. LEARN MORE Dr. Charles F. Whitten Black History Month Sickle Cell Pioneers Dr. Whitten's papers acquired by NIH library Dr. Wanda Whitten-Shurney Read more about Dr. Shurney in our media section

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we're not holding any face-to-face events at this time. Visit this page to keep up with our virtual activities. 2019 holidays Camp Cancellation2 WSU 02282020 Whitten-Shurney MD Register2 GivingTuesdayNow Walk promo IMG_0946 SCDAAMI Stabenow meeting Ahmar TEDx IMG_0943 iseeu 2024 Events Mark your calendar and join us for fun, educational, advocacy, and celebratory events throughout the year. (Virtual for now, of course.) SCDAA-MI Upcoming Events Flyers will be uploaded in the future. WORLD SICKLE CELL DAY - WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2024 THE ANNUAL SICKLE CELL MATTERS AWARENESS WALK - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2024 (The Charles H. Wright Museum) FLINT MICHIGAN SICKLE CELL AWARENESS WALK - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2024 Have questions? Need info? Want to send an idea for an educational topic? Contact us at info@scdaami.org or 313.864.4406.

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.

photo galleries 2019 event gallery 2018 Photo Gallery 2020 Photo Gallery Awareness Campaign Launch Celebrating 43 Years of Helping to Break the Sickle Cycle! The Cynthia Coles Circle 2019 Annual Sickle Cell Benefit Luncheon Saturday, May 18,2019 Guest Speaker Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist III Celebrating World Sickle Cell Day June 19, 2019 Thank you to all of our supporters! The Sickle Strong Empowerment Circle presents its 1st Annual Balloon Release June 19, 2019 World Sickle Cell Day Belle Isle Park Detroit, Michigan

our services For more information: Detroit Main Line: (313) 864-4406 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 Contact our nearest satellite office: Detroit Area: (313) 613-7327 Benton Harbor/Kalamazoo Area: (304) 404-4229 Grand Rapids/Muskegon Area: (616) 788-9816 Jackson/Lansing Area: (517) 249-9528 Saginaw/Flint Area: (989) 372-0256 SCDAA-MI provides a range of services to individuals with sickle cell and their families. This includes counseling, support groups, referrals for financial and medical help, college and employment assistance, sending children to summer camp each year. The agency also coordinates newborn screening for all babies born in Michigan. WHAT WE DO HERE TO HELP Services We Provide Do you have medical insurance, primary care, a hematologist? Do you need accommodations at school/work? Let us help you manage your life with sickle cell. Read More PARTNER RESOURCES Community Connections We've compiled a handy list of helpful partner resources you can use to help meet basic and emergency needs for yourself and/or your family. Read More CORONAVIRUS / COVID-19 What You Should Know Individuals with sickle cell run a higher risk of complications if they contract COVID-19. Get SCD-specific info and guidelines to help stay safe. Read More

2018 event gallery 2020 Photo Gallery 2019 Photo Gallery Awareness Campaign Launch 2018 SICKLE CELLebration Boll Family YMCA Detroit Saturday, September, 22, 2018 June 19th - World Sickle Cell Day! Saturday, June 9th, 2018 #Sicklecellmatters Awareness Walk Palmer Park, Detroit, Michigan Friendship Baptist Church presents The 42nd Annual Cynthia Coles Circle Benefit Luncheon

Sickle Cell Disease Association of America - Michigan Chapter Board of Directors Chairperson Kym L. Worthy Prosecutor, Wayne County District Jeffrey Sherbow, Esq, 1st Vice Chair, Attorney, Sherbow Law Office Ms. Cheryl L. Haskett, Treasurer Finance Director & Consultant, YDB, Inc. Kathleen Neumann, Secretary Retired Regional Director, Judson Center Sharada Sarnaik, M.D. , Assistant Secretary Retired Director, Comprehensive Sickle Cell Clinic Children's Hospital of Michigan Sonja L. Banks, CEO, International Dyslexia Association, Inc . Barbara Cushing, M.D. Retired Pediatric Hematologist, CHM LeWanda Gipson Deputy Director, Matrix Human Services Deborah Smith-Pollard, Ph.D. Associate Professor, U of M Dearborn Beverly Watkins Systems Administration, Toyota our board

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