On Wednesday, September 30, 2020, the Intl. WeLoveU Foundation virtually reunited with longtime partner and sickle cell advocate, Dr. Nina Anderson, to reflect on Sickle Cell Awareness Month. WeLoveU’s Health advisor and volunteer, Dr. Monique Bowman, sat down with Dr. Anderson for an intimate discussion about the past month and what lies ahead for patients with sickle cell disease.
Dr. Anderson is the Founder of TOVA Community Health. Her expertise in sickle cell disease, paired with her passion for helping others, is seen through work. Since 2018, she has been a meaningful partner of the WeLoveU Foundation. She spoke at WeLoveU’s Save the World Global Forum regarding blood donation, and later hosted a blood drive in Delaware, where nearly 80 pints of donated blood could save 200 lives.
Earlier this year, WeLoveU and Dr. Anderson organized a Sickle Cell Day Virtual Forum. An estimated 600 participants tuned in to hear from sickle cell experts from John Hopkins University and the University of Illinois at Chicago, and a sickle cell advocate and patient of sickle cell disease.
The Meaning Behind Sickle Cell Awareness Month
About 250 people virtually joined the conversation. The audience learned that September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month. It was designated by Congress to help draw attention to the need for research and treatment of sickle cell disease. In the United States, there are approximately 100,000 sickle cell patients. Dr. Anderson explained that various groups and organizations host sickle cell awareness programs, activities and events to educate people about sickle cell disease as well as the sickle cell trait.
How to Raise Awareness About Sickle Cell Disease
Dr. Anderson reflected on Sickle Cell Awareness Month, discussing the activities she organized to spread the message about sickle cell disease. It was a whirlwind of a month for her. For instance, she held the 8th James Faucett III Sickle Cell Awareness 5K Run/Walk. Registrants walked or ran at their nearby parks to avoid large gatherings. As Dr. Anderson put it, “We are in this fight together for sickle cell, but we can’t be together now.”
Before the walkathon, she moderated a forum called “Surviving and Thriving After Gene Therapy,” featuring a patient who participated in revolutionary therapy through a clinical trial. The audience at home learned the good news that this patient was cured of sickle cell disease, no longer producing sickled cells.
While bouncing off one another, Dr. Anderson encouraged the viewers listening to raise awareness about sickle cell disease by simply learning more about it. Another way to support the cause is by donating blood, which is vital for sickle cell patients who need monthly transfusions to maintain a quality of life. She added that having a safe hemoglobin level can give them an opportunity to function normally. Given the restrictions surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, potential blood donors should enlist with their local blood banks for their safety protocols.
10 thoughts on “Reflecting on Sickle Cell Awareness Month With Dr. Nina Anderson”
This was a very informal webinar! I am great moved by Dr. Anderson’s passion to help those suffering from Sickle Cell disease, I was so happy to hear of of Gene Therapy process that gives hope that this sort of disease can be cured. After many years of searching for a way to solve this issue, I am very hopeful that those who have been waiting to hear the news will be relieved soon. Great job Dr.Anderson and WeLoveU Foundation, this partnership will play a major role in the lives of others.
I was very thankful to have been able to participate in this webinar! I was inspired by Dr. Nina Anderson’s passion and commitment to raise awareness about sickle cell disease which affects tens of thousands of people in the United States alone. It was a very informative session and I was able to understand more in regards to the disease and the efforts that are being made to help raise awareness. I’m always amazed and moved to see the efforts the WeLoveU Foundation is making to help the global community!
This was a wonderful and informative webinar. I never knew that the cause of sickle cells was due to an inherent defect in a molecular within the DNA structure but what makes it more amazing is that it has the possibility of being fixed to become a normal and healthy blood cell. I am cheering this project on for all the current and future generations who have or will have sickle cells. Such amazing news
The webinar was thoroughly enjoyable, and both Dr. Nina and Dr. Monique created a happy and positive atmosphere for such a worthy cause. Dr. Nina’s explanation of a potential new treatment for sickle cell and positive and successful stories of clinical trials were also very hopeful and uplifting.
Great job sharing hope and informing the community about Sickle Cell Disease. It was great to hear the news about the advancements in gene therapy. Hope it can become a solid option for patients in the future.
The webinar was a great learning experience, I have received a wealth of information about Sickle Cell disease. Dr. Nina was very excited to share the amazing news about the hope in finding a treatment for this disease. We can definitely see a bright future for people affected with sickle cell conditions.
I was amazed to hear how successful the gene therapy technique was in curing her sickle cell disease. This is really a futuristic solution. I think these types of results cannot be achieved unless organizations like WeLoveU continue to devote themselves to spreading awareness and supporting behind the scenes. Keep up the excellent work!
I attended the webinar. It was very good to know that Sickle cell disease is on the brink of a cure!!! I would not have known that had I not attended. Thank you to doctors Anderson & Bowman and thank you to the WeLoveU Foundation for this very informational webinar!!!
This webinar was absolutely amazing and informative. It was great to hear about the breakthrough research that showed such a positive result and hope for so many suffering from sickle cell. It is wonderful to hear about the young lady who was so selfless to participate in the trial knowing that the outcome may have not been favorable.I hope to continue to learn more and make others aware of this disease. Thank you so much for this webinar.
I thought the webinar was very amazing. I love all the works the International WeLoveU Foundation United States is doing to help spread awareness of sickle cell day. It was very touching to have Dr. Anderson share much of her experiences and to see how much passion she has toward her community. Very amazing and heartfelt webinar!