September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month.
Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a blood disorder that impacts around 1,200 Wisconsin residents, and around 90% of Americans with SCD are Black.
On Wednesday, Milwaukee hosted its Annual Sickle Cell Summit with healthcare officials and community organizations.
Watch: Wisconsinites come together to fight Sickle Cell Disease.
September is sickle cell awareness month
The summit will include panels discussing the impacts of the disease, the importance of blood donation, and the impact the disease has in the Black community.
One of the panelists at the summit will be the Sickle Cell Warriors of Wisconsin. The executive director, Tokara Henry, has a personal connection with the disease. Over 10 years ago, Henry lost her cousin, Carlotta Thomas, to the disease. Her cousin’s illness spurred her to community work to fight the disease.
TMJ4She says Wednesday’s event will provide education to the community, and she argues as education grows and medicine advances, people with SCD will live longer, healthier lives.