Sick Cells

Sick Cells' mission is to elevate the voices of the sickle cell disease (SCD) community and their stories of resilience.

In highlighting the grave disparities this community faces, we hope to influence decision-makers and propel change.

06/01/2026

100,000 Americans live with sickle cell disease.

For far too long, people living with sickle cell disease have faced significant barriers to awareness, research investment, and access to quality care.

That's why the Sick Cells Ambassador Network exists - to elevate community voices, increase awareness, and drive meaningful change.

Meet Shannon, a new Sick Cells Ambassador from Alabama. She became an advocate the moment her son was born with SCD, and she's spent his lifetime educating teachers, coaches, and school nurses about a condition most of them have never been taught to understand. In her words: "I strive to ensure that every individual with SCD has access to the accommodations and specialized care they deserve."

Shannon is one of 467 Ambassadors across 37 states and 12 countries. Warriors and caregivers are sharing their stories to help build a future where everyone affected by SCD gets the support, understanding and care they deserve.

This World Sickle Cell Day, we're raising $20,000 to continue to support and grow this movement.

Donate today. ➡️ sickcells.org/donate

05/31/2026

“Limits,” a poem by Kwaku Aurelien. 📝

Kwaku is a law student at UConn School of Law, an advocate, and sickle cell disease (SCD) Warrior.

Read more of Kwaku’s story on our blog in honor of this weekend’s National Creativity Day. ➡️ https://bit.ly/4tDP8J8

05/29/2026

Ambassadors, join us for our next Tea Chat this Tuesday at 12 PM EST! 🫖

Whether you’re new to the community or a longtime Ambassador, Tea Chats are a space to connect, share updates, learn about upcoming conferences and events, and discover new ways to get involved, including opportunities through our Faces of SCD storytelling program.

June is Men’s Health Month, a time to raise awareness and encourage men to prioritize their physical and mental well-being. This month, we’ll be joined by Steven Fraden, a founding member of the Arizona Blood Alliance: a community dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by blood disorders. Steven is passionate about helping people living with blood disorders have a voice.

Not an Ambassador yet? Join today. ➡️ https://bit.ly/49WkV0y

05/19/2026

🗓️ Join us for this month’s Priority Topic Meeting, Thursday, May 21st!

We are honoring Mental Health Awareness Month.

This session will be led by trained clinical and school psychologist Dr. Xzania Lee.

Dr. Lee is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at USC Keck School of Medicine, where she is appointed to the Division of Adolescent Medicine at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Her research focuses on improving mental health, chronic pain coping, and health care transition outcomes for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with sickle cell disease.

Her research integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), community-based participatory research methods, and culturally responsive interventions to address structural and psychosocial barriers faced by historically underserved populations.

Through close collaboration with patients, families, and community stakeholders, her work aims to promote resilience, engagement in care, and increase access to evidence-based mental health services across the lifespan.

This event is open to all Sick Cells Ambassadors — join the Ambassadors. ➡️ https://bit.ly/49WkV0y

05/15/2026

“I am what a Warrior looks like.”

Meet Kwaku Aurelien—a law student at UConn School of Law, an advocate, and sickle cell disease (SCD) Warrior.

His journey sits at the intersection of lived experience and legal advocacy.

As a Sick Cells Ambassador and dedicated advocate for the SCD community, the ways in which Kwaku navigates SCD has not only shaped his identity, but sharpened his commitment to advancing equity through law and policy.

Most recently, he served as a state Team Lead during our 2026 SCD Policy Forum, engaging directly with congressional offices to advocate for federal priorities impacting the SCD community.

From the classroom to the policy arena, his story is a testament to resilience, purpose, and the evolving meaning of what it truly means to be a “Warrior.”

Read Kwaku’s full story. ➡️ https://bit.ly/4tDP8J8

04/29/2026

Happy May Ambassadors! Be sure to join us this Friday, May 1st for our monthly Tea Chat at 12pm ET!

This month we are excited to have Kwaku Aurelien, SCD Warrior and advocate, as our guest speaker. He will share how navigating SCD has not only shaped his identity, but also sharpened his commitment to advancing equity through law and policy. You don't want to miss this chat!

Want to learn more about becoming a Sick Cells Ambassador?
Visit sickcells.org/ambassador-program to get involved!

04/22/2026

TODAY! 💊🔬 Sick Cells is eager to host a special webinar on the latest advancements in therapeutics, innovations in clinical trials, and ongoing efforts to improve access to care and treatment for sickle cell disease.

We look forward to you joining the conversation with our featured industry partners! Registration is still open: https://bit.ly/4tZfF47

04/20/2026

Don’t miss this important event! Join us THIS Wednesday, April 22nd for a special webinar featuring several leading industry partners as they share the latest advancements in therapeutics, innovations in clinical trials, and ongoing efforts to improve access to care and treatment for sickle cell disease.

Whether you’re a healthcare professional, researcher, patient advocate, or simply interested in learning more, this session offers valuable insights and current updates you won’t want to miss.

Register today and be part of the conversation shaping the future of sickle cell care: https://bit.ly/4tZfF47

04/15/2026

Join us for this month’s Priority Topic Meeting, Thursday April 16th! We will cover Medicaid landscape for SCD in honor of Medicaid Awareness Month.

This session will be led by Mariah Scott, MS, MPH, who was an Ambassador with Sick Cells, and is now a Research Contractor with us leading our Medicaid efforts. Mariah is a researcher, advocate and PhD candidate at Rutgers University specializing in prevention science, with expertise in policy evaluation and health transitions for the sickle cell community.

This event is open to all Sick Cells Ambassadors.

Join the Ambassadors: https://sickcells.org/ambassador-program/

04/14/2026

Join us for a special webinar on Wednesday, April 22nd as we hear from industry partners on advancement in therapeutics, clinical trials, and access to care/treatment for sickle cell disease.

All are welcome to tune in! Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/BICu31faQnCle65SwBqNNw #/registration

Address

1012 14th Street NW Suite #500
Washington D.C., DC
20005

Website

http://www.sickcells.org/

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