The Sickle Cycle Podcast Charlotte Curtis

This episode features an honest conversation between mother and daughter. Dr. Jackie Flemmings is an educator and has received her PhD in Education. She has raised three beautiful children with her husband. As a mother to a daughter with sickle cell disease, she embodies the definition of an advocate and believer. Listen to this intergeneration dialogue which discusses health, motherhood, miscarriages, health, and faith.

Dr. Wanda Whitten-Shurney is a pediatrician that has spent her life advocating for the sickle cell community. In this episode, she talks of her father, Dr. Charles Whitten, sickle cell disease educator and pioneer. The legacy of her father continues today through her one of a kind educational workshops and leadership of the Sickle Cell Disease Association of American Michigan Chapter. Dr. Whitten-Shurney provides best practices for caring for a child with SCD. She refers to her patients as "snowflakes" because each patient experiences the disease differently, thus highlighting the challenges of this illness.

For more than 46 years, the Sickle Cell Disease Association of American (SCDAA)has been committed to promoting and advancing initiatives focused on people affected by sickle cell conditions worldwide. In this episode, we are joined by Beverley Francis-Gibson, President and CEO of SCDAA. Mrs. Francis-Gibson provides a rich understanding of the organization, including current programs, events, initiatives, and partnerships to support research and education for sickle cell. There are numerous ways to support SCDAA, including attending this years 49th National Annual Convention which will be held on Oct 12-16, 2021. More information about SCDAA can be found at the following link: www.sicklecelldisease.org.

Sickle Cell impacts every part of the body including the eye. Dr. Adrienne Williams Scott is Chief, retina specialist, and assistant professor of ophthalomology at Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins. Dr. Scott treats patients across the spectrum of vitreoretinal medical and surgical diseases, including sickle cell retinopathy. Dr. Scott discusses the impacts of sickle cell disease regarding the eye, preventative measures, and her latest research. Dr. Scott is a leader in her field and her work and efforts will continue to benefit the sickle cell community and the world for many generations.

Welcome to our first episode of 2021. Mrs. Tonya Prince is the Co-founder of the Sickle Cell Association of Houston. Currently, approximately 9,005 residents are living with sickle cell disease in the state of Texas. On this episode, Mrs. Prince discusses her personal testimony with caring for her child with sickle cell anemia and her life's work of advocating for and with the sickle cell community. Mrs. Prince leadership has led to access of treatment options, legislation action for sickle cell related bills, and access to vaccine distribution during COVID-19 for sickle cell warriors in Houston, Texas.

This month, we recognize September as Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month. Dr. Sophie Lanzkron is Director of the Sickle Cell Center for Adults at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. The sickle cell community has benefited greatly from her research, leadership, and expertise. Dr. Lanzkron research focuses on sickle cell disease, hydroxyurea, patient-centered health care, and health services research. On this episode, she discusses her journey and love for hematology, overview of hydroxyurea, and quality care for sickle cell disease patients.