Sickle Cell Disease Association of America

The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Inc. (SCDAA) is a nonprofit organization with the sole purpose of supporting research, education and funding of individuals, families those who are impacted by sickle cell disease.

Mission statement
"To advocate for and enhance our membership's ability to improve the quality of health, life and services for individuals, families and communities affected by sickle cell disease and related conditions, while promoting the search for a cure for all people in the world with sickle cell disease."

History
The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Inc. originated in Racine, Wisconsin. Representatives from 15 different community-based sickle cell organizations came together at Wingspread, a community center, as guest of the Johnson Foundation. There was a common belief that there was a need for national attention to sickle cell disease. After a meeting, they created the "National Association for Sickle Cell Diseases". The name was changed in 1994 to the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Inc. Over the course of several years, the organization has grown into over 40 different branches. The organization has partnered with several different medical facilities, local and state government agencies to pursue national health care objectives. Some of the organization's partnerships include: National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), United Way of America, and the Robert Johnson Foundation.

Areas of emphasis

 * Research
 * Public Health Education
 * Professional Health Education
 * Patient Services
 * Community Services
 * Support to Global Organizations and Practitioners

Events
The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Inc. hosts several events throughout each year. It hosts the Annual National Sickle Cell Walk with the Stars the weekend after Labor Day each year. The inaugural walk was held on September 6, 2014, at Lake Montebello in Baltimore, Maryland. This event typically will have a variety vendors, kid activities, prizes and celebrity guests. The Sickle Cell Disease National Convention is held annually during the first weekend of October in Baltimore's Inner Harbor. The event will feature themed experience, with prizes, awards, auctions and educational sessions.

Notable supporters

 * Tionne 'T-Boz' Watkins - The National Celebrity Spokesperson for the SCDAA.
 * Tiki Barber - The former NFL running back has sickle cell disease and does his part educating others.
 * Prodigy - Hip Hop star promotes sickle cell awareness at different events, including the 2011 National Convention.
 * Ryan Clark - NFL Super Bowl champion with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
 * Devin McCourty and Ryan McCourty - Twins fight Sickle Cell Disease with Tackle Sickle Cell Organization.
 * Kier "Junior" Spates - SCDAA National Celebrity Ambassador
 * Larenz Tate - Actor is passionate about sickle cell awareness.
 * Santonio Holmes - Runs benefit for son with sickle cell disease.

Alabama

 * North Alabama Sickle Cell Foundation - Huntsville
 * SCDA - West Alabama Chapter - Northport
 * SCDAA Central Alabama Chapter - Birmingham
 * SCDAA - Alabama Chapter State Association - Mobile
 * SCDAA - Mobile Chapter
 * Sickle Cell Foundation of Greater Montgomery, Inc. - Montgomery
 * Southeast Alabama Sickle Cell Association, Inc. - Tuskegee
 * Tri County Sickle Cell Association, Inc. - Selma

Arizona

 * Sickle Cell Anemia Society of Arizona, Inc. - Phoenix

California

 * Sickle Cell Disease Foundation of California - Los Angeles

Colorado

 * Colorado Sickle Cell Association - Denver

Connecticut

 * Citizens for Quality Sickle Cell Care, Inc. - New Britain/Hartford
 * SCDAA Southern Connecticut, Inc. - Bridgeport/New Haven

Florida

 * SCDAA of Escambia & Santa Rosa Counties - Pensacola
 * SCDAA of Levy/Marion Counties - Ocala
 * SCDAA - Dade County Chapter, Inc. - Miami
 * SCDAA - St. Petersburg Chapter
 * Sickle Cell Association of Hillsborough County - Tampa
 * Sickle Cell Disease Association of Broward County - Ft. Lauderdale
 * Sickle Cell Disease Association of Florida, Inc. - Pensacola
 * Sickle Cell Disease Association of Tri-County, Inc. - Orlando
 * Sickle Cell Disease Association of Upper Pinellas/Pasco/Hernando Counties, Inc. - Clearwater
 * Sickle Cell Disease Association of Volusia County - Daytona Beach
 * Sickle Cell Foundation of Palm Beach County & Treasure Coast Inc. - West Palm Beach
 * Sickle Cell Foundation, Inc. - Tallahassee

Georgia

 * Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia, Inc. - Atlanta

Illinois

 * Sickle Cell Disease Association of Illinois - Chicago

Louisiana

 * Baton Rouge Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation
 * Northeast Louisiana Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation - Monroe
 * SCDAA - Northwest Louisiana - Shreveport
 * Sickle Cell Anemia Research Foundation - Alexandria
 * Southwest Louisiana Sickle Cell Anemia, Inc. - Lake Charles

Maryland

 * Maryland Sickle Cell Disease Association, Inc. (MSCDA)
 * Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Inc. - Baltimore

Massachusetts

 * Greater Boston Sickle Cell Disease Association - Dorchester

Michigan

 * SCDAA Michigan - Detroit

Nevada

 * Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation - Las Vegas

New Jersey

 * The Sickle Cell Association of New Jersey, Inc. - Newark

New Mexico

 * The Sickle Cell Council of New Mexico - Albuquerque

New York

 * Queens Sickle Cell Advocacy Network - Queens Village

North Carolina

 * Bridges Pointe Sickle Cell Foundation - Durham
 * Community Health Interventions and Sickle Cell Agency, Inc. - Fayetteville
 * Piedmont Health Services and Sickle Cell Agency - Greensboro
 * SCDAA - Eastern North Carolina - Jacksonville

Ohio

 * SCDAA - Ohio Sickle Cell & Health Association - Columbus

Oregon

 * Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation of Oregon - Portland

Pennsylvania

 * Children's Sickle Cell Foundation, Inc. - Pittsburgh
 * SCDAA - Philadelphia/Delaware Valley Chapter
 * The South Central PA Sickle Cell Council - Harrisburg

South Carolina

 * James R. Clark Memorial Sickle Cell Foundation - Columbia

Tennessee

 * Sickle Cell Foundation of Tennessee - Memphis

Texas

 * SCDAA of Tarrant County - Fort Worth
 * Sickle Cell Association of Austin and San Antonio Marc Thomas Foundation - Austin

Virginia

 * Sickle Association, Inc. - Norfolk