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News media releases and alerts from SCDAA-MI press releases Advisories from SCDAA's Medical and Research Advisory Committee Sickle Cell Disease Association of America Medical and Research Advisory Committee COVID-19 Update “December 23, 2021 – SCDAA MARAC reminds the sickle cell community that the COVID-19 pandemic is having another increase in infections. New variants like omicron are emerging, as is common for RNA viruses, and vaccination rates need to consequently improve. Vaccinations can protect against severe illness. A new mediation might also help as early treatment for infected individuals.” Further details/recommendations on website: https://www.sicklecelldisease.org/2021/12/23/marac-advisory-statement-update-about-covid-19/ ​ ​MARAC Advisory Statement on Post-secondary and Boarding School Education in the Age of COVID-19 (July 31, 2020) - SHOW THIS TO YOUR SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR TO HELP THEM HELP YOU. MARAC Advisory Statement for SCD Patients Who are Teachers, Administrators, and Other Support Staff during School Reopening (July 30, 2020) - SHOW THIS TO YOUR EMPLOYER TO HELP THEM HELP YOU SCDAA MARAC Position on 2020 School Reopening (July 27, 2020) - SHOW THIS TO YOUR CHILD’S SCHOOL PRINCIPAL TO HELP THEM HELP YOU MARAC Advisory Statement Regarding SCD Patients during the time of “Reopening” the U.S. Economy (April 30, 2020) Sickle Cell Disease and COVID-19: Provider Advisory: An Outline to Decrease Burden and Minimize Morbidity (May 27, 2020) Health Alert for People with Sickle Cell Disease and their Caregivers (March 17, 2020) - SHOW THIS TO YOUR MEDICAL PROVIDERS TO HELP THEM HELP YOU A Health Note From Dr. Biree Andemariam , SCDAA Chief Medical Officer (March 13, 2020) ​

We are deeply grateful for the generous support of our funders, sponsors and donors. SCDAA-MI is committed to continue delivering dedicated comprehensive services with passion and compassion to help people with sickle cell live their best lives possible as we enlighten the medical establishment and keep reaching for a cure. ​ Thank You Jalen Graham! SCDAAMI is thankful to Jalen Graham (Purdue Football Star, native Detroiter and Cass Technical High School Alum) as he presents proceeds of his #GetSeriousAboutSickleCell t-shirt campaign in memory of his Aunt Leslie Clemons and in honor of all Sickle Cell Warriors! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ HRSA This Non Profit Program/Organization is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of awards totaling $244,000. With 0 % financed with non-governmental sources. The programming contents are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov. ​ ​ ALTRIA Thank you for the grant to support our mission to raise awareness about sickle cell disease. ​ our donors

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.

sickle cell conditions Sickle cell disease is the most common heritable blood disorder in the U.S. It affects 100,00 people, most of them living healthier and longer lives than would've been possible one or two generations ago. The disease is chronic, complex and challenging. But at the SCDAA-MI, we are resilient and resourceful - committed to improving lives. We're here to win. SCROLL DISEASE & TRAIT What & How Learn about the history, transmission and variability of sickle cell disease, and what we're discovering about trait. Read More PATIENT SUPPORT Find Answers You have questions, we're here to help you get answers. Cut through the internet chatter with credible tips, tools and insights. Read More TREATMENTS Is there a cure? A universal cure isn't here yet, but there are disease-altering treatments for children & adults that you should know about. Read More SAFE(R) Stay SAFER in the ER Learn more about our SAFE(R) initiative and the evidence-based guidelines in place for emergency sickle cell care. Read More

OUR PARTNERS ​ SCDAA Member Organization As a Member Organization of Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, we are positioned to work with other local organizations and with the National office to execute events, fundraisers, programs, and projects. For more information about our national agency, click here (insert logo and link to website). Our achievements are possible because of the continued commitment of our dedicated staff, Board of Directors, and other volunteers. We also wish to acknowledge the financial support from the state of Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Federal Health Resource [i]and Services Administration (HRSA), City of Detroit- Planning & Development Department and the many agencies, organizations and individuals which have enabled us to provide free services for our clients. The Cynthia Coles Circle of Friendship Baptist Church has been a steadfast supporter of our organization as well as Community Health Charities. We could not have met the challenges presented by sickle cell conditions without the assistance we have received from the total community. We are deeply grateful for your generous support over the years and we intend to continue to be worthy of it. Our promise is to continue delivering dedicated comprehensive services, with true compassion. ​ CALL TO ACTION ​ If you would like to join us in improving the lives of individuals living with sickle cell disease, please take a moment to send a tax deductible contribution. Thank you!

volunteer Contact Us Photo Release Client Feedback We have a variety of ways you can help us at SCDAA-MI – even during COVID. Social Media Ambassador – Like, share, re-post and re-tweet from our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages to help generate awareness of our work. Help us find and reach out to supporters in groups and on related pages and accounts. Educational sessions - Create lists of current topics and potential speakers, and helping us build our audiences. Advocacy – Reach out to elected officials online and on social media about policy actions effecting the sickle cell community Interested in something else? Let’s work together to find something that fits your commitment and schedule. ​ Just complete the volunteer form to let us know what you're interested in and when you're available. ​ ​ We appreciate everything you do for our cause! ​ Email: info@scdaami.org Phone: (313) 864-4406 Toll free: (800) 842-0973 Fax: (313) 864-9980 Volunteer Application Form Help us make a difference! First Name Last Name Email Phone Address Age A few words about you Please check here if you're under 18 Next

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 ​ Khaleeda Robinson, MPH., B.S. Community Health Worker/Patient Advocate Detroit Michael Copeland, B.S. Community Health Worker/Patient Advocate Grand Rapids/Muskegon Area Jessica Williams​ Program Assistant Ben Frazier, B.S.W. 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 ​ Darlene Hunt Maintenance/Courier 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 ​ Angela McCreary, B.S.W. Community Health Worker/Patient Advocate Lansing/Jackson Area Richard Reed Finance Manager ​ Wanda Whitten-Shurney, M.D. CEO & Medical Director our staff

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

Ways to participate in our virtual walk Donate/Join/Fundraise Since the Walk is now virtual, registration is optional. You can turn your registration fee into a donation, join/create a team or become a fundraiser. Team Set Up Once you create a team, you'll get an email for page set up. We also have step-by-step instructions here to personalize your page. Sponsor Info Your company sponsorship heightens the visibility of your commitment to social responsibility. The return on investment benefits us all. Vendor/Exhibitor This year we're offering two vendor experiences: Both provide virtual promotion, one also offers limited sponsor benefits. Legacy Warriors Are you a sickle cell warrior who's 40 or older? We invite you to join our Legacy Salute! Sign up here by 9/5 to be included. The COVID-19 pandemic will keep us from walking together, but the reasons we walk are still present every day in every individual living with sickle cell. We still need your help to meet the needs of our community. How Our Virtual Walk Works “Join where you are and move how you choose” is the theme of this year’s Sickle Cell Matters Virtual Walk. This means you can participate from anywhere – home, a favorite landmark, nearby park, or your local drop-off election ballot box . (Hint!) Everyone who registers, donates, or starts a team will receive a pedometer, but you’re not limited to walking. Change it up! Transfer the 30-40 minutes you would have used to walk with our group to a session of Zumba, yoga, golf, dancing or yes, walking. ​​ We encourage you to start on Sept. 14 to help us promote the event. Post photos or videos of your activity to your social media accounts using #SickleCellMattersWalkMI #SickleCellLivesMatter #SickleCellMichigan. Have fun with it – show off your steps, shout out your team, team members, and the warrior you’re participating for. Then on Saturday, Sept. 19, join us on Facebook @sicklecellmichigan for the online celebration beginning at 10 a.m. Right click to download, save and share this graphic! Contests & Prizes Right click to download, save and share this graphic! ​Everyone who supports our 2020 Sickle Cell Matters Virtual Walk by registering, donating, fundraising, or starting a team by 9/5 will receive a pedometer as a thank you and reminder that fitness – movement – is important for all of us every day. Everyone who signs up as a fundraiser or creates a team by 9/5 will also be entered into a giveaway for a $100 gift card. We’ll recognize the two teams that raise the most money by Sept. 12. Team captain of the top team receives a $100 gift card. The second place team captain will receive a $50 gift card. The team captain with the most walkers as of Sept. 12 will receive a $100 gift card. We’re expanding our annual T-Shirt Contest to include posters this year. Create a design supporting #SickleCellLivesMatter. Show your poster or wear your T-Shirt in your virtual walk photos and videos. Enter your T-Shirt and poster designs in the contest by Sept. 5 for a chance to win a $100 gift card. Winners will be announced on Sept. 19. (You must be registered for the walk, donate, or be signed up as a fundraiser or team captain to be eligible for entry.) Tribute to Fallen Warriors We offer our heartfelt condolences to all the friends, families and loved ones of individuals with sickle cell who’ve passed away over the years. This year, again, we’ll pay tribute to the lives of those we've lost here in Michigan. To include your loved one in our tribute, please send the following to info@scdaami.org no later than Sept. 5: Name of the individual who passed away, dates of birth and death, and a photo. Right click to download, save and share this graphic! Salute to Legacy Warriors Right click to download, save and share this graphic! We’re inviting all individuals with sickle cell aged 40 and older to join our 2020 salute. Consider this an extra birthday celebration! The honors are open to all warriors, no matter where you live. Sign up here and send a photo of yourself to info@scdaami.org with the subject line “Legacy Warrior.” Be sure to include your name in the email. #WarriorsWipeItDownChallenge We’re inviting all sickle cell warriors to join in a special #WipeItDown challenge for our virtual walk. Post to your social media using any of the day’s hashtags: #SickleCellMattersWalkMI #SickleCellLivesMatter #WarriorsWipeItDown Right click to download, save and share this graphic! #SickleSlide ​​ ​​Calling the hustle crowd! Take on the Sickle Slide to raise consciousness around sickle cell in a fun and active way. Post your video and tag us @sicklecellmichigan. Be sure to post a fact or two about your life with sickle cell and use #SickleSlide and #SickleCellMattersWalkMI. You could be featured in our Walk day celebration! howwalkworks contests legacywarriors fallenwarriors wipeitdown sickleslide Check our leaderboard frequently to see how your campaign is doing and what the competition is up to. For additional information, please contact the following SCDAA-MI staff for specific assistance or call (313) 864-4406: Registration, team setup or technical issues - email Kristal Johnson Sponsorships - email Stefanie Worth Vendor Information - email Tracie Conic

un/re-used elements Our 2020 Sickle Cell Matters Walk features a Warriors dance challenge and a salute to our Legacy Warriors (ages 50 and up). Warrior Stroll #SickleSlideChallenge Be a part of the Warrior Stroll! New this year, the Warrior Stroll features the #SickleSlide dance challenge to open our Walk Day festivities. Warriors of all ages and abilities are welcome to participate in parts that suit their preference. Watch and learn , perfect your style, and post your video using #SickleSlideChallenge. Salute to Legacy Warriors The 2020 Sickle Cell Matters Walk will also feature a tribute to our Legacy Warriors - individuals with sickle cell who'll be 50 years or older as of Dec. 31, 2020. Sign up to be recognized on our web site, in the day-of-event printed program (must be signed up by Sept. 1, 2020), and from the stage during remarks.