More progress for the sickle cell community during Sickle Cell Awareness Month.

❤️ On September 23, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D., alongside Congressman Danny Davis and Senators Chris Van Hollen and Cory Booker, announced the reintroduction of legislation aimed at addressing one of the challenges our community knows all too well: access to comprehensive, specialized sickle cell care. The Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Center Act would help establish a national network of specialized sickle cell treatment centers—connecting comprehensive SCD expertise with community health centers and other providers so that quality care can reach more patients. And one part especially caught our attention at MTS Sickle Cell Foundation: ❤️ Community-based organizations are included in the model. The legislation recognizes that caring for people with sickle cell disease extends beyond the hospital. Education, outreach, care coordination, social support and trusted community partnerships all play a role. We know this firsthand. Every day, community organizations help families navigate the spaces between the doctor's appointment and real life—transportation, resources, education, research opportunities, support and simply knowing where to turn. This legislation was introduced alongside the Sickle Cell Care Expansion Act, which addresses another major challenge: strengthening the healthcare workforce available to care for people with SCD and supporting young adults transitioning from pediatric to adult care. We’ll be watching both bills as they move through Congress and continuing to advocate for systems of care that meet people with sickle cell disease where they are. ❤️🩸 Thank you to the congressional leaders continuing to bring national attention to the needs of the sickle cell community. #SickleCellAwarenessMonth #SickleCellDisease #SickleCellAwareness #SickleCellAdvocacy