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.

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.

 

CURRENT PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS

· 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 (FQHC) to coordinate the Illinois Sickle Cell Action Network (ISCAN) to unite patients, medical providers and program administrators in treatment, care and education surrounding Sickle Cell Disease and Carrier State.
·  Conducts educational events pertinent to the NBS program, including workshops, seminars, conferences, and in-service training opportunities, for medical providers and their personnel.
·  Provides newborn screening follow-up services for infants with sickle cell disorders.
·  Provides counseling, referral services, and direct emergency grants to patients in need of food,clothing, shelter, prostheses or other necessities.
·  Assists deserving sickle cell disease students with scholarships to achieve higher education goals.
·  Sponsors a summer camp for children ages 7-18 with sickle cell disease.
·  Provides a Christmas party for children with sickle cell disease, their siblings and other family members.

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 39 YEARS

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

 

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