5th Annual World Sickle Cell Day Marathon to Raise Awareness and Support

The Cayenne Wellness Center and Children's Foundation, under the leadership of Executive Director Carolyn Rowley, and the Sickle Cell Community Consortium (SC3), led by Executive Director Dr. Lakiea Bailey, have announced the 5th Annual 24-hour global event in honor of World Sickle Cell Day 2024. This virtual marathon is scheduled to take place on June 19, 2024, from 12:00 am EST through 11:59 pm EST. The event aims to showcase the diverse talents within the sickle cell community worldwide while providing education and entertainment.

The World Sickle Cell Day 2024 event is designed to unite participants globally, emphasizing the widespread impact of this genetic blood disorder. Dr. Carolyn Rowley stated, "Our World Sickle Cell Day marathon is an opportunity to raise global awareness about sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait, and to provide education and support for individuals and families affected by this condition."

This year's virtual marathon will not only highlight the challenges faced by the sickle cell community but also celebrate their exceptional talents and creative initiatives. The event will also feature a gaming segment led by "PHILSpecialMeter" on the Twitch platform, aiming to generate $7,000 in seven days for the Cayenne Wellness Center. Participants and attendees are encouraged to support both 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations throughout the marathon.

Registration for the 4th Annual World Sickle Cell Day 2023 24-Hour Sickle Cell-A-Thon is now open. For more information and to register, visit https://www.sicklecellday.com.

The theme for this year's event is "Hope Through Progress: Advancing Sickle Cell Care Globally," which underscores the ongoing efforts to improve care for individuals affected by sickle cell disease worldwide. Dr. Lakiea Bailey expressed, "The 24-hour Sickle Cell-A-Thon is a wonderful opportunity to learn about sickle cell disease and to hear from sickle cell patients and caregivers worldwide. This community is vibrant, engaging, funny, and powerful. We invite the greater community to join us to meet this wonderful group."

Both organizations, the Cayenne Wellness Center and SC3, play crucial roles in advocating for enhanced sickle cell care and raising awareness about the disease. The Sickle Cell Community Consortium, founded in 2014, leverages the power of the patient voice to drive significant change within the community. Through educational initiatives like Warrior University, SC3 empowers advocates with valuable and transferable skills.

The Cayenne Wellness Center and Children's Foundation, established in 2000, remains committed to improving the quality of life for individuals diagnosed with sickle cell disease in California. The center provides education and awareness for healthcare providers, patients, and the general public, while maintaining a resilient grassroots network and advocating for people with sickle cell disease.

The 24-hour marathon for World Sickle Cell Day 2024 is a crucial event for raising global awareness and support for sickle cell disease. It provides a platform for the sickle cell community to share their stories, talents, and experiences, fostering a sense of unity and progress in the fight against this genetic blood disorder.