Join me Saturday, September 2 at 7:00 a.m for The Local Take on 91.9 WCLK as we increase awareness about Sickle Cell Disease . I spoke with Milford Green, PhD, Director of the Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia, Inc.
Milford Greene spoke about the start of the Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia which took place before the National office opened in the DC/Baltimore area. This disease impacts 100,000 Americans.
Dr. Greene shared with us how the disease is spread genetically and those that have the trait are 50% likely to pass that trait on to their offspring. He shared the challenges that people with Sickle Cell experience and why more research for treatment is important.
Currently, the only cure involves a bone marrow transplant, and African Americans are not active in the National Bone Marrow Registry, making even this option inadequate to treat those who need it most. He goes on to explain that 8,000 people in our state are suffering with this disease.
The Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia will celebrate this month of awareness with various events and opportunities for our community to learn more about the disease. This includes a Candle Light Vigil on September 6th along with their annual Walk-A-Mile for Sickle Cell on September 16th. Additionally the National Conference on Sickle Cellwill be hosted in Atlanta October 25-28th.
For more information on the Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia
To join the National Bone Marrow Registry
You can visit the foundation at 2391 Benjamin E. Mays Drive, SW Atlanta, GA 30311 or call the offices at 404-755-1641