Senator Scott’s Bipartisan Resolution to Advocate for Sickle Cell Awareness Passed by Senate

“My hope is that by highlighting the severity of this disease we can get more people focused on finding more widely available cures,” said Scott. “The numbers are heartbreaking. This disease affects so many across the nation, and I hope our efforts will help to bring Sickle Cell awareness to the forefront of medical research so that we will continue to see more developments in the near future. I’m proud to lead the effort to raise awareness of Sickle Cell Disease, and to help the amazing children, adults and their families fighting this disease. I am thrilled the Senate came together to unanimously pass this important resolution.”

Sickle Cell Disease, an inherited disease disorder that causes major health problems, directly affects 100,000 people nationwide. One in 13 African Americans are carriers of the Sickle Cell trait, and a child whose parents are both carriers has a 25 percent chance of being diagnosed with Sickle Cell.Individuals diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease may experience serious medical complications ranging from anemia, restricted blood flow, strokes and even death. While hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is currently the only known cure and advancements have been made in treating complications, more can be done to help patients and their families.

Senator Scott hopes this resolution will continue to amplify the seriousness of Sickle Cell Disease while pushing for people across the country to highlight the urgency of finding a widely accessible cure, identifying early detection methods, and ensuring living with the disease are aware of available resources.