September is Sickle Cell Anemia Awareness Month

Sickle Cell Connect is a three-part digital series aimed at exploring what sickle cell disease is, resources for patients with sickle cell disease and the future of the disease. This series has been created by Be The Match to build awareness of sickle cell disease, empower patients, grow the Be The Match registry and to save lives. You’ll hear from nationally known sickle cell disease physicians. Listen to other warriors who have sickle cell disease.

Get answers to your sickle cell disease questions. Know that you’re not alone in this journey.

To learn how to access free resources, read stories about people cured of sickle cell disease following a marrow or stem cell transplant and to join the Be The Match Registry, visit www.sicklecellconnect.com.

Virtual Event Series:

Episodes will be streamed via the www.sicklecellconnect.com webpage and viewable on Be The Match social channels.

Episode 1: What is sickle cell disease?

September 10, noon-12:30 p.m. CDT 

Panelists will chat about sickle cell disease basics with pediatric hematologist Staci Arnold, MD, hear sickle cell warrior Genesis' story and learn about barriers and disparities that sickle cell patients face from the Health Equity Manager at Be The Match.

Episode 2: Living with sickle cell disease 

September 17, noon - 12:30 p.m. CDT

Moderators will chat with a Be The Match Patient Navigator and Social Worker about the free resources available to sickle cell disease patients and hear from the founder of My Three Sicklers Foundation.

Episode 3: The future of sickle cell disease 

September 24, noon – 1 p.m. CDT

This event covers transplant and gene therapy with Staci Arnold, MD and a certified genetic counselor from Be The Match. Hear about our policy efforts for sickle cell disease, meet sickle cell warrior Dakhiyon, see how Nia Imani Franklin, former Miss America, is advocating for more diverse donors on the Be The Match Registry, plus watch a live swabbing event.  

SOURCE: Be The Match