~SCDAI News You Can Use September 2020~
Part 1
(Please take the time to scroll down, read & share)

September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month!
Our Annual Golf Outing was held Saturday September 5, 2020! Thank you to those whom donated, participated and sponsored this event! Please see the Photo Recap below! If you missed out in joining us on the green this year, we look forward to seeing you next year!!
IN THE NEWS!
Chicago Tribune Daily SouthTown
By Francine Knowles September 7, 2020
Featured in the article. Sherrell Johnson (Pictured here) and ~Evera Ivy (Not pictured)
September is Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month, and the Joint Caucus of Black Elected Officials has teamed with the Illinois Coalition of Community Blood Centers and the Sickle Cell Disease Association of Illinois to raise awareness and encourage blood donations by African Americans. As part of the campaign, which was unveiled at a news conference in Chicago last week, blood drives are planned in the metropolitan area including the south suburbs.
Upcoming Events/Programs
Happening Today 9/14/2020!

First Lady Melania Trump will host a White House roundtable discussion: Improving the Lives of Americans with Sickle Cell Disease.  
The event is scheduled to begin at 12 pm CST and will be broadcast via https://www.whitehouse.gov/live/

What?
2020 Virtual Walk/Jog/Bike-A-Thon

How? Register Your Team or yourself! Pick a day or day(s) and lets gear up to Virtually Walk, Jog, Run, or bike to raise Sickle Cell Awareness!
​
When? September 16-30th, 2020
(2 weeks/14 days to choose from..whichever day(s) you choose remember to take pics and share them with us! So we can see you raising awareness while staying active!)
2nd Annual
Virtual Advocacy Day!
Wednesday September 16, 2020
Monthly Illinois Statewide Sickle Support Group Meeting
Thursday:
September 17, 2020
6 PM-8 PM
2020 Chicago Virtual
Sickle Cell Summit

Please join us for the Chicago Sickle Cell Summit on September 24, 2020 from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm.

Register in advance: 
Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (SCDAA's) National Convention is Virtual this year!


Patient scholarships to attend SCDAA’s National Convention next month are being offered on a first come first serve basis. Scholarship applications have to be submitted by us so please email Diamond Hughes (Community Health worker) diamondhughes@scdai.org and let her know if you are interested.
Calling All Individuals with Sickle Cell Disease and their Caregivers! You are not alone! Please join an amazing support system below!

  • Did you know there is a Group me (mobile app) for adults with SCD in Illinois? If you are 18 & over with Sickle cell disease in Illinois and want to add yourself click this link . You can also download the app to your phone for convenience.

  • Did you know there is a Group me (mobile app) for Caregiver(s) (parent of individuals with SCD)? If this is you then click this link to add yourself. You can also download the groupme app to your phone for convenience.
SCDAI Brochure
Call or Email us if you would like us to mail you a few copies.
SCD Resources/Information

1.
Do you know about the OneSCDVoice.com community?
Click here to view and join the online community!

2.
Do you receive Sick Cells Newsletters? If no, Click Here to view and join!

3.
Did you know that SCDAI is one of the many member organizations across the U.S of the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (SCDAA)?
Click Here to learn more about the SCDAA.

4.
Did you know that we now have 4 Food & Drug Administration (FDA) Approved Sickle Cell Treatment drug options?

Please click on the drug therapy names below to learn more about each of them! Please use this information to inquire at your next doctor's appointment about these options for yourself or for your loved one(s) with Sickle Cell Disease in your life!
We also have printed information at our office if you would like to have the information in hand when talking to your provider(s).




(Here's a video below from one of our partner organization (Sickle Cell Disease Association of America-Michigan Chapter) about Hydroxyurea.
Sickle Cell Studies/Research/Survey Opportunities!

We Need you Input! Decisions need to involve direct input from our Sickle Cell Community (patients & caregivers)! Please participate so your voice can be heard! Read and click below to complete or participate in a study or interview!
The community thanks you in Advance!!! See two opportunities below.


Survey opportunity 1
A Duke University research study is seeking adults (18 and over) with SCD and parents of children with SCD to complete an on-line survey about your experiences with SCD and your thoughts about possible treatments for SCD.
  • A unique passcode is required to participate (you will receive this code from SCDAI)
  • You will be compensated for your participation!
To participate send us a email: sicklecelldisease-illinois@scdai.org to receive the link and passcode.
Survey opportunity 2

When you sign up be sure to tell them that the Sickle Cell Disease Association of Illinois referred you! We will also receive a gift card that will be used as giveaways to patients & families at various programs/events :) Thank you in advance!
Immediate UPDATE/ACTION NEEDED!
Don't forget to keep the momentum and conversations going with your state representatives, elected officials, mayors and senators. We need YOUR VOICE and help in ensuring that your Illinois State Senator & representatives know what legislation for Sickle Cell Disease would mean to you and your loved one with Sickle Cell Disease!
What do we need you to do? Call or meet with your state senator, and other elected officials and let them know why this bill is important and why it needs to be voted into Illinois Legislation!
Click the link and type in your home address to find your elected officials.
Partnership Opportunities with SCDAI!
Community Involvement
The Sickle Cell Disease Association of Illinois is looking partner with multiple community organizations/groups that can & would be interested in joining our Monthly Virtual Support Group Meetings via Zoom! 

Time: 6-8PM in the evening. 
Dates: The 2nd to last Thursday of the month

Please let us know if your organization or another organization would be interested in securing a date & partnering with us. We can learn more about your organization/group & your organization can learn more about the issues & current state of Sickle Cell Disease & Trait in Illinois. Thank you in advance!  
IN LOVING MEMORY

Please join us by sending up a special prayer and love to the families of our Beloved, Fallen Sickle Cell Advocates/Warriors! :

Sirchester Wiley Jackson 1979-2020

Sheila Price 1955-2020

Marqus Valentine 1983-2020

Lafayette Jay Thomas 1969-2020

Reginald White 1971-2020

George Gaddy 1965-2020

Elijah Powell 1995-2020

Annette Delgado 1968-2019

Aaron Morris 1959-2019

Ronicia Otey 1990-2019

LaTisha Stallings 1980-2019

Please contact us and let us know if you have a loved one who had Sickle Cell Disease & has gained their wings! We are creating a page online (via our website) and a in person Wall of Fame tribute at our office! We want to pay respect and continue to show love to our amazing advocates and fighters who are no longer with us!
Sickle Cell Disease Association of Illinois | 773-526-5016 | E-mail | Website