WASHINGTON – The Howard University Center for Sickle Cell Disease has announced plans for an online event to commemorate the 8th Annual World Sickle Cell Awareness Day, on June 18. The theme of this year’s event is “The Many Dimensions of Sickle Cell Disease.”

The event will take place from 2 p.m. to 4:15 p.m., EDT, on Friday, June 18. Please register via https://rebrand.ly/HUWorldSickleCellDay.The key topics include when to use blood transfusions to treat sickle cell disease, gene therapy, living well with sickle cell disease, and sickle cell disease and college life.

The online symposium will feature expert presentations and interactive sessions. A special Q&A session will feature Howard University President Wayne A. I. Frederick, M.D., who will interview NFL Great Santonio Holmes, Jr., father of Santonio “TJ” Holmes III, who has sickle cell disease. Holmes Jr. is the founder of III and Long Foundation, an organization dedicated to raise awareness to help fight Sickle Cell Disease and provide financial support and treatment options for families affected by the disease. President Frederick was diagnosed with sickle cell anemia at birth.

“We are excited to present our 8th Annual World Sickle Cell Day Event where we will  discuss the many dimensions of sickle cell disease,” said James G. Taylor VI, M.D., director of the Howard University Center for Sickle Cell Disease who will speak at the symposium.  “The saying goes, ‘It takes a village.’ We want to let patients know that we are here to help them beat this condition.”

Featured speakers from Howard University include Taylor as well as Dr. Hugh E. Mighty, M.D., dean of the College of Medicine, and Sergei Nekhai, Ph.D., deputy director, Howard University Center for Sickle Cell Disease. The sponsors of the event are Vertex Pharmaceuticals and CRISPR Therapeutics.

Other featured speakers include Dr. Theopia Jackson, president of the Association of Black Psychologists; Dr. Akshay Sharma, St. Jude Hospital; and Dr. Carolyn Rowley, executive director of Cayenne Wellness Center. Additionally, Leon Tshilolo, M.D, Ph.D., Académie Congolaise des Sciences, CEFA/Centre Hospitalier Monkole, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, will address sickle cell disease in Central Africa.

Sickle cell disease is the most common genetic disease in the United States and primarily affects African Americans. It leads to anemia, pain crisis, strokes and other problems. The Center for Sickle Cell Disease, the Howard University College of Medicine,  and Howard University Hospital, have long served as a  major international center for medical care, research, and other resources for  people with sickle cell disease. The Center for Sickle Cell Disease has participated in every major clinical trial that has led to FDA-approved medications for sickle cell disease treatment.

Pictured (top of the page): NFL Great Santonio Holmes, Jr., father of Santonio “TJ” Holmes III

About Howard University

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that comprises 13 schools and colleges. Students pursue more than 140 programs of study leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced one Schwarzman Scholar, three Marshall Scholars, four Rhodes Scholars, 12 Truman Scholars, 25 Pickering Fellows and more than 165 Fulbright recipients. Howard also produces more on-campus African American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States.

Media Contact: Sholnn Freeman, sholnn.freeman@howard.edu