AABB Announces National Sickle Cell Awareness Month Activities

AABB joins organizations across the United States in recognizing September as National Sickle Cell Awareness Month.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common inherited blood disorder in the United States, affecting approximately 100,000 Americans, most of whom have ancestors from sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, SCD occurs in about 1 out of every 365 Black or African American births and in 1 out of every 16,300 Hispanic American births. Many people with SCD depend on regular blood transfusions to prevent serious health complications.

AABB is pleased to announce several activities taking place in September to raise awareness about SCD, educate clinicians about the changing health care landscape for these patients and highlight the importance of blood donation as a life-changing medicine for people with SCD.

Showcasing Sickle Cell Warriors in AABB News

The September issue of AABB News will introduce readers to “sickle cell warriors” – people with SCD or those who care for someone with SCD – who are striving to raise awareness of this inherited bleeding disorder and the unique health care challenges that they face. In this issue, sickle cell warriors Tiffani Jackson and Ashley Reed share their sickle cell journey and discuss the importance of increasing blood donations among the Black community. AABB will share interviews with these sickle cell warriors on social media as well.

Education Program: Emerging Therapies for Sickle Cell Disease

AABB and QuidelOrtho are pleased to welcome Titilope Fasipe, MD, PhD, for a Science and Innovation Forum focused on emerging therapies for sickle cell disease. Fasipe is the co-director of the Sickle Cell and Thalassemia Program at Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Center and an assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine/Texas Children’s Hospital.

In this complimentary program, Fasipe will discuss her lived experiences as a sickle cell warrior and the challenges associated with treating patients with SCD. She will also focus on the research landscape of emerging therapies for the SCD, including promising gene and cellular therapies.

The program will take place from 2-3 p.m. ET on Friday, Sept. 22. Registration is complimentary but required to attend.

Highlighting the Importance of a Diverse Blood Supply

Throughout September, AABB’s social media will share information about SCD and highlight how a diverse blood supply helps improve health outcomes for people living with SCD. AABB encourages members of the blood and biotherapies community to follow the discussion using the #AABBscd hashtag.