User:BatonRougeSickleCell/sandbox

The Baton Rouge Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation, Inc is a non-profit agency that works to assisst people affected by [| sickle cell anemia] and their family members. The Foundation works to improve the quality of life for those affected by the disease through advocacy, public education, financial assisstance, support groups, and treatment advice. It currenly serves 11 parishes in Louisiana.

Mission

 * To provide public awareness concerning the negative impact of sickle cell conditions on the health, economic, social and educational well being of patients, and their families.
 * To organize and/or participate in educational training on sickle cell conditions. To solicit funds for patient assistance and genetic consultation through the provision of programs and services to our clients.
 * To collaborate with other social service agencies/health agencies in providing patient services.
 * In cooperation with our national organization, SCDAA, Inc.,, we develop positions and promote implementation of service program standards that will be in the best interest of the affected population.

History
Jessie Douglas saw the need for an organization in early 1974. She had been working as a nurse at a Head Start Center in Baton Rouge when they began performing the sickledex test on all the students. Douglas did more testing with the children who had tested positive, and found that a number of them had sickle cell disease. After working more with these children, their doctors, and their families, Douglas felt compeled to help them any way she could. The Foundation took off slowly. Funding was difficult to come by from both Federal and State agencies; meetings were held in the homes of either the patients' families or of the board members. Douglas was passionate about the cause though, and she did not give up. She continued to recruit board members who helped organize fundraisers in the community and wrote letters to senators. This year the Foundation is celebrating its 40th year and has expanded to service 11 parishes in Louisiana.

Services
All of the services the Foundation provides are free of charge to clients and their families, according to the Foundation's Policy of Patient Assisstance.

Financial Assisstance

 * Prescription Drug Vouchers/Co Payments Vouchers: Provides up to $100 for uninsured clients and up to a $50 co-payment for insured clients.
 * Medical Durable Program: Provides clients with up to $100 a year to assisst in purchasing crutches, wheelcharis, etc.
 * Healthcare Vouchers: Provides assistance with medical, dental, vision exams and eyewear.
 * Medicaid Application Center: Applications for Medicaid can be made at the office.

Medical Assisstance

 * Fountain of Health: Provides sports drinks to clients so they can stay hydrated, which prevents further crises.
 * Infant Care Program: Educates new parents of infected infants and monitors their development.

Support

 * Coping and Connecting: A series of support groups for patients and their families with guest speakers and open discussion on the disease, related illnesses, coping skills, and avaible social services.
 * Circle of Friends: A sitting service that provides trained sitters to support hospitalized patients during a crisis.
 * Trait Counseling Program: Testing and counseling services for those who have the trait or the disease.

Education and Scholarship

 * Academic Partnership: Assists clients by transporting assignments when they are hospitalized or home bound, helping with education planning, and offering tutors.
 * LASCA Adult Patient/Advocate Retreat: Weekend retreat for both caregivers and adult sickle cell patients that address the needs of those with sickle cell disease.