8/14/2019 Baton Rouge Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation 2301 North Boulevard

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Baton Rouge______________________________

Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation

2301 North Boulevard

Baton Rouge, LA 70806

225.346.8434/Fax 225.334.0628

Contact: Lorri A. BurgessExecutive Director225-346-8434Email: lburgess@batonrougesicklecell.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sept. 24, 2009

Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation raises awareness at SUSickle Cell Day at the Jaguar Nation

BATON ROUGE--- Sickle Cell Anemia, an inherited blood disease, affects about 70,000Americans and about 1,000 babies are born with the disease each year in America according tothe Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (SCDAA). Thousands of families carry the gene

and dont even know it.

This disease is a global disease that affects all ethnic groups but specifically the African

American population. Next year in the Western World, sickle cell anemia disease turns 100 yearsold and there is only one FDA approved drug for the treatment of sickle cell disease.

The Baton Rouge Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation will educate the community by hosting Sickle

Cell Day at the Jaguar Nation on Thursday, Oct. 22.

Starting at 1 p.m., attendees can participate in a Whats In Your Genes? walk. To promote

sickle cell trait awareness and education, the walk is a fundraiser to provide direct services to

sickle cell clients including but not limited to prescriptions, sitting service, hydration and supportgroups.

At 2 p.m., a Sickle Cell Town Hall Meeting will be held at the Southern University NursingSchool. The town hall will provide education related conditions, social and political impact of

sickle cell disease and trait. The emcee for the event is WAFB Channel 9 Street Beat Reporter

Greg Meriwether. Dr. Carlton Haywood, John Hopkins University will speak on Living with

Sickle Cell Disease, Dr. Albert Samuels, Southern University, B.R. will speak on the Socialand Political Impact of Sickle Cell Disease; as well as a local physician to address other sickle

cell related conditions and health care.

8/14/2019 Baton Rouge Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation 2301 North Boulevard

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Health care vendors and screenings for sickle cell trait and iron overload will be available free of

charge. There are about 2.5 million people in America with sickle cell trait according to theSCDAA. Participants are encouraged to get tested and promote sickle cell within their families

and their communities. Special performances by American Idol winner Ruben Studdard andlocal artists Terrell Griffin & Free.

A tailgate party with free food and drinks will be given to all participants. There will also beprizes, autographs and photos available to attendees.

For more information on the event, please contact Lorri Burgess, Executive Director at

225-346-8434 or visit the website at www.batonrougesicklecell.org.

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