Sickle Cell Disease of Illinois

Greetings!

To all of the Sickle Cell Disease Association of Illinois (SCDAI) consumers, partners, supporters, volunteers, sponsors and donors, thank you for continuing to stand shoulder to shoulder with us to provide a voice and work effortlessly to ensure that Sickle Cell remains at the forefront of medicine!Ending 2010 and rolling into 2011 is an exciting time for SCDAI! While keeping our eyes locked on the finish line and advancing full speed ahead, we have encountered many hurdles that we had to jump. SCDAI is proud to brag about our annual events as well as our monthly events that are offered in order to implement action to our mission. SCDAI hosts: two annual fundraisers Walk-Jog-Bike-A-Thon (WJBAT) and a Golf Outing; numerous outreach programs/services such as quarterly baby showers for parents of children with Sickle Cell Disease 0-12 months, bi-monthly “FREE” community hemoglobinopathy screenings, monthly advisory and support group meetings, Management of Sickle Cell Disease Conference, Bright Horizons Summer Camp, and a Toy Drive and Christmas party. In 2011, SCDAI will celebrate 40 years! Stay tuned for more information.

TaLana Hughes, MPH
Executive Director

Sickle Cell Disease Association of Illinois (SCDAI) Sickle Cell Disease Association of Illinois (SCDAI)

MISSION STATEMENT

Sickle Cell Disease Association of Illinois’ (SCDAI) primary mission is to enhance the quality of life for people with sickle cell disease and their families. To effectively achieve this goal, SCDAI acts as an advocate for improved health care and services for sickle cell patients by educating and informing the community through outreach programs.

HISTORY

In 1971 the Sickle Cell Disease Association of Illinois (SCDAI) was founded under the name Midwest Association for Sickle Cell Anemia (MASCA). As a founding member, SCDAI is a part of the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (SCDAA), a 57 member community-based membership organization, in over 300 communities nationwide and Canada.

IN THE LAST 40 YEARS

The Sickle Cell Disease Association of Illinois has:

·Petitioned legislators to sponsor a bill to get funding for sickle cell disease (SCD) concerns.

·Organized the first Sickle Cell Disease Conference in Chicago.

·Petitioned Governor James Thompson to proclaim September as “Sickle Cell Month in Illinois”.

·Launched a payroll deduction and direct contributions program, which has expanded to include the City of Chicago, Cook County, the Board of Education and the United States Government.

·SCDAI is a member of the Community Health Charities of Illinois, which represents over 30 other health agencies.

CURRENT PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS

·“New” FREE on-site Community Screenings at SCDAI for abnormal hemoglobinopathies in collaboration with University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC)

·Coordinates a federal Newborn Screening Program (NBSP) that enhances follow-up services for infants who test positive for sickle cell disease, including support to and coordination among community-based agencies.

·Partnered with a Federally Qualified Health Center's (FQHC) throughout Illionois to coordinate the Illinois Sickle Cell Action Network (ISCAN) with a goal to unite patients, medical providers and program administrators in treatment, care and education surrounding Sickle Cell Disease and Carrier State.

·Conduct educational events including workshops, seminars, conferences, and in-service training opportunities, for health care professionals, community agencies and organizations.

·Sponsors a summer camp "Bright Horizons" for children ages 7-17 with sickle cell disease.

·Hosts an annual Toy Drive and Christmas party for children with sickle cell disease ages 0-17 years.

sicklecelldisease-illinois.org

Greetings!