What We Do
We’re the first and oldest non-profit, social service, sickle cell disease organization in the United States today.
Founded in 1957, the Sickle Cell Disease Foundation has maintained a viable and reputable organization for over 60 years.
We address the needs of individuals with sickle cell disease and their families by emphasizing educational and support programs and services that meet the physical, psychosocial and economic needs of our clients.
With a growing population of individuals with sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait, a primary focus of the Sickle Cell Disease Foundation is to educate, screen and counsel those persons at risk of having children with sickle cell disease and other hemoglobin disorders.
Uplifting Sickle Cell Disease as a Statewide Priority
As part of the Networking California for Sickle Cell Care Initiative, we are working to ensure that all Californians impacted by SCD are able to receive the quality health care they need and deserve.
Decades of inadequate funding for California adults living with SCD resulted in this underserved community dying at younger ages and at higher rates. Californians with SCD have higher incidents of emergency room visits and hospitalizations than patients in other states.
For the first time in California’s history, the governor committed $15 million statewide for sickle cell screening and treatment programs throughout the state.
This program marks the first time California has ever provided funding for SCD, which is the world’s most common genetic disease affecting approximately 100,000 in the U.S. alone. This initiative will help train physicians, as much as it will treat patients, to ensure those with SCD receive a timely diagnosis and the best care possible.
How we help
Programs + Services
Free services for persons with sickle cell disease, their families, and the general public.
Education + Training
The Sickle Cell Disease Foundation is State-Approved Sickle Cell Counseling Program.
Fundraising
Make a difference: make a donation or become a sponsor.
You’re not alone…
“The Sickle Cell Foundation has helped me tremendously with a lot of different things. They’ve helped me learn how to navigate the healthcare system and taught me the necessary steps to advocate for my own personal needs when I’m in the hospital, but what I really love about being involved with the foundation is how we’re basically a family. Having people to talk to that actually understand your disease and what you go through on a daily basis is by far the best thing about being a part of the foundation because you don’t feel like you’re alone.”