Sickle cell anemia has fallen behind many other diseases in research and clinician innovation as it affects a disadvantaged population that often lacks the resources to advocate for themselves.
We get referrals for the sickest patients in Michigan and surrounding states due to the high quality of patient care and access to new innovative treatments. But our sickle cell families lack the means to advocate for more federal research funding and many centers around the country and in our local area struggle to provide comprehensive resources to this vulnerable and marginalized patient population.
It is only in the last few years we have had a few new drug therapies approved for disease treatment, but this is only a fraction of the progress seen in other diseases that affect the general/more affluent populations. Our team is actively engaged in improving the clinical care of these patients and finding new drugs and cures in the laboratory.
The money raised will fund sickle cell disease research projects, provide resources for our patients (annual holiday party, water bottle, pill box, thermometers), and fund sickle cell clinical/research staff positions.
