UIU Cincy's 5K For Sickle Cell

Sickle Cell in Nigeria and the US

It is estimated that more than 300,000 babies are born with severe forms of hemoglobinopathies worldwide each year. While 75% of all patients with SCD live in Sub-Saharan Africa. Nigeria alone accounts for more than 150,000 new births every year. In America, 1 in every 365 African-American is living with SCD and1 in 13 children are born with the Sickle Cell trait.

Though the US is affected with SCD, Nigeria makes up the largest population of individuals living with SCD in the world. So what is life like for individuals living with SCD?

Life For Individuals Living With Sickle Cell

• Children and adolescents living with SCD miss an average of 15 days of school work or more
• According to the CDC, individuals living with Sickle Cell Anemia go to the hospital 3 time a year, on average
• Patients with SCD wait 25% longer to see a doctor in the ED than other patients do

What can we do?

UIU Cincy is interested in teaming up with our community (members and leaders alike), its organizations and its businesses  to bring awareness to Sickle Cell Anemia prevention, share information and available resources. UIU Cincy wants to initiate Cincinnati's step towards awareness for this disease. We want to keep putting one foot in front of the other all the way to Nigeria and back again!

5K for Sickle Cell

UIU Cincy invites the community to join us at Winton Woods Park on Saturday, September 21st at 8:00 am to bring awareness to Sickle Cell Anemia from a 5k event. The 5K event will be swiftly followed by a cookout and block party where family-friendly activities will be offered to connect people affected by Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) with community organizations.

UIU Cincy want to provide information on services, resources, and opportunities in the city that contribute to a better quality of life for people affected by SCD both locally and internationally. This 5K fundraiser and public health initiative will hopefully bring more awareness, in Cincinnati, to SCD. We hope that it will respond to the needs of Sickle Cell Disease patients in Cincinnati and also allow for the launch of a Sickle Cell Disease Day in Nigeria!

With your help, we can:

• Distribute basic health supplies and SCD awareness information
• Increase overall knowledge of SCD
• Provide resources that increase quality of life for all affected

Join us in taking another step towards progress for SCD!!