Sickle Cell Association Of Savannah, Inc.

06/02/2026

You've heard it. But, do you know what sickle cell anemia is?

06/02/2026

On Saturday, May 2, 2026, the Sickle Cell Association of Savannah hosted its 4th Annual Living Well Mind, Body, and Spirit Wellness Retreat. There was a electrifying atmosphere in the Eckburg Auditorium at Savannah College! Attendees were eager to learn about the impact of Sickle Cell on our community and how individuals navigate life with daily challenges. A huge shoutout to all the incredible vendors, volunteers, and speakers who made this event a wonderful success! We’re especially thankful to the fantastic speakers who shared invaluable insights—Dr. Gabrielle Aiello enlightened us on Sickle Cell, Mrs. Rachel Ober emphasized the lifesaving importance of blood donation, Mr. Clayton Andrews addressed the mental challenges posed by the disease, and Dr. Earnest Powell provided a comprehensive look at medications and self-advocacy. Dr. Sharon
Sanders-Funnye gave us a food demonstration on how to prepare chickpeas, and of course, we had the phenomenal Brown Haven Massage Company, where Nakeyia Joyce and Tahisha Di**le provided impeccable massages to those who signed up. A special thanks again to the Top Ladies of Distinction, MCG Medical Students, Top Teens of America Savannah Chapter, American Red Cross, Curtis V Cooper and a Special thanks to Novo Nordisk who sponsored this event and Mrs. Azizi Coleman or her representation. we can't wait to see more of you next year.

05/12/2026

05/09/2026

Savannah State University Spring 2026 Commencement: Congratulations to some of our SSU Student volunteers! Their service to the Sickle Cell Association of Savannah, Inc was impactful. We will miss these young ladies but we extend our best wishes as they embrace the next chapter of their lives. Moriana Rankins, Anshanette Hawkins, Laura Milner, and Deborah Liadi. Thank you Ladies!!

05/08/2026

It's that time of year again to unite for a worthy cause. The Savannah Sickle Cell Association is hosting its annual Savory Sounds and Sizzling Style Benefit Banquet. This event helps us provide financial assistance to individuals pursuing higher education. Further details will be announced in the coming weeks. In the meantime, you can secure your tickets online at www.savannahsicklecell.com. We look forward to seeing you there.

04/29/2026

The Sickle Cell Association of Savannah, Incorporated is pleased to welcome Dr. Sharon Sanders-Funnye to our 4TH Annual Living Well Mind, Body, Spirit Wellness Retreat Saturday May 2, 2026 10AM-2PM at Savannah Technical College Eckburg Auditorium 5717 White Bluff Rd Savannah GA 31405.

Dr. Sharon Sanders-Funnye spent 16 years working for a Fortune 500 Food Company as a Food Scientist in new product development. This role provided her with research, testing, and industry expertise. There are a number of foods in the marketplace that were developed by Dr. Sharon and her team. Dr. Sharon possesses the ability to critically innovate and implement opportunities, as well as assess, evaluate, and identify broader impact opportunities, via critical problem-solving. Dr. Sharon received numerous awards for her work in the food industry, including the Kraft Foods Superior Achievement Award.
Dr. Sharon has practiced as a Wellness Advocate for the past 20 years. She has also provided and developed numerous Food Science Fun courses for community centers, churches, colleges, and school district staff. Her goal is to educate the community on healthy foods for improving/maintaining cognitive ability and the use of food as a preventative measure to disease. Dr. Sharon is the author of several books, including Stepping Into Wholeness, a guided journal. Dr. Sanders-Funnye founded Pivot Learning Network, LLC. in 2021 for the purpose of training and educating individuals and companies, with collective self-care, being one area of focus.
Sharon received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Savannah State University in Savannah, GA. She earned her Master of Science degree in Food Science from Alabama A&M University in Huntsville, AL and her Doctoral degree in Curriculum and Social Inquiry from National Louis University in Chicago, IL.

This free event is open to the community. Please see the flyer below to register at www.savannahsicklecell.com
and join us for this engaging and informative event where attendees will enjoy other health talks, complimentary massages, food demonstrations, receive health care screenings, door prizes and more! You may call 912-695-9733 for additional information.

04/27/2026

https://www.novonordisk.com/disease-areas/sickle-cell-disease.html

Learn about Sickle cell disease (SCD), a rare genetic disease.

04/26/2026

The Sickle Cell Association of Savannah, Incorporated is pleased to welcome Dr. Earnest Powell to our 4TH Annual Living Well Mind, Body, Spirit Wellness Retreat Saturday May 2, 2026 10AM-2PM at Savannah Technical College Eckburg Auditorium 5717 White Bluff Rd Savannah GA 31405.

Dr. Earnest Powell, PharmD, MBA, BCPS, is a strategic pharmacy executive and clinical leader with over 15 years of experience driving high-impact initiatives across complex healthcare systems. He currently serves as Pharmacy Director at Effingham Health System, where he leads enterprise pharmacy services and aligns clinical decision-making with financial performance and patient outcomes. With deep expertise in specialty drug management, pharmacy economics, and formulary strategy, Dr. Powell focuses on optimizing drug spend and improving total cost of care. His prior leadership roles at Doctors Hospital of Augusta and Trinity Hospital of Augusta reflect a consistent ability to translate complex clinical and operational data into actionable insights that support executive decision-making and sustainable healthcare strategies. A trusted advisor to senior leadership, he combines clinical expertise with business acumen to advance pharmacy program development, enhance operational efficiency, and improve patient access to high-cost therapies. He holds a Doctor of Pharmacy from Mercer University and an MBA from Augusta University and is a Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist.

This free event is open to the community. Please see the flyer below to register at www.savannahsicklecell.com and join us for this engaging and informative event where attendees will enjoy other health talks, complimentary massages, food demonstrations, receive health care screenings, door prizes and more! You may call 912-695-9733 for additional information.

04/26/2026

The Sickle Cell Association of Savannah, Incorporated is pleased to welcome again Clayton Andrews to our 4TH Annual Living Well Mind, Body, Spirit Wellness Retreat Saturday May 2, 2026 10AM-2PM at Savannah Technical College Eckburg Auditorium 5717 White Bluff Rd Savannah GA 31405.

Clayton Andrews is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Professional Counseling Supervisor with 17 years of combined experience in community and mental health. He is also an Approved Clinical Supervisor with ADACBGA. He is a 43-
year-old Sickle Cell Disease Warrior, a husband and a father of seven. He completed his Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology with Troy University and his experiences include serving as a Forensic and Behavioral Health Counselor, Treatment Team Facilitator and as a Clinical Supervisor for RSAT services with the
Georgia State Prison System. Clayton also acted as a Crisis Response Clinician in partnership with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department. His primary focus is the enablement and development of self-sufficiency, development and growth in mental health.
Clayton is the co-founder of Sickle Cell Champions Association and a Coordinator of SC M.A.N., male-focused and male run organizations, focusing on the Warrior Male. He is also the co-founder of Warrior Connections, Inc., alongside his wife, Shana.
Clayton’s therapeutic approach utilizes empowering, person-centered approaches, along with some cognitive-behavioral and some confrontational approaches. Clayton places emphasis on assisting one’s personal growth through positivity, mindfulness and
compassion. Clayton's private practice, Andrews Counseling and Family Resource Center focuses directly on the mental health plight of the Sickle Cell Warrior, Men’s Mental Health and Forensic/Mandated practice.

This free event is open to the community.
Please see the flyer below to register at www.savannahsicklecell.com and join us for this engaging and informative event where attendees will enjoy other health talks, complimentary massages, food demonstrations, receive health care screenings, door prizes and more! You may call 912-695-9733 for additional information.