Cayenne Wellness Center is set to host its 20th Annual Sickle Cell Disease Educational Summit from September 16 to 20, 2026, at the Marriott Long Beach Downtown in Long Beach, California, with Agios as the Ruby Level title sponsor. The event, themed "20/20 Vision: Our Legacy Continues," will bring together patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, researchers, and advocates for five days of education, connection, and wellness.
Founded in response to a patient's demand for better care, the summit has grown from a half-day seminar to a comprehensive four-day program. Dr. Carolyn Rowley, Executive Director and Founder of Cayenne Wellness Center, noted that the summit began because "one Warrior demanded more—more awareness, more education, and more understanding from the healthcare professionals caring for them." Stephanie Mulkey, a sickle cell warrior, and Pat Corley, RN, initiated the first seminar, which has since evolved into a major event. Mulkey passed away before the first seminar, but her vision continues to drive the summit's mission.
The milestone event will highlight significant advances in sickle cell treatment, including two FDA-approved gene therapies and three FDA-approved disease-modifying treatments. However, Dr. Rowley emphasized that despite these advancements, "we also recognize how far we still have to go." The summit will address both cutting-edge science and the everyday challenges of living with sickle cell disease.
Wednesday's sessions will focus on treatment and research, covering topics such as FDA-approved therapies, red blood cell exchange, gene therapy, and community-engaged research. An evening Physician Track will include pain management and a panel titled "Real Talk, Real Pain: Perspectives from Physicians Living with Sickle Cell Disease." Thursday will explore wellness practices like acupuncture, sound healing, and nutrition, alongside discussions on sickle cell trait awareness and reproductive health. Friday's programming will address life transitions, including dating, marriage, careers, and financial planning, followed by an award ceremony and benefit concert. Saturday will feature sessions on mental health, trauma, and the role of artificial intelligence in sickle cell care, as well as storytelling. The summit will conclude on Sunday with a visit to the Scar Stories Exhibit, an artistic display of personal experiences with the disease.
Registration for the summit is now open, and attendees can sign up at https://cayennewellness.org/scd-educational-summit-2026/. Vendor and exhibitor opportunities are also available, with a reservation link at https://tinyurl.com/SVENDOR2026. Cayenne Wellness Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in 2000, continues to provide support and advocacy for the sickle cell community in California and beyond.
