Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Day

By virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution of Virginia in the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized:

WHEREAS, sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common inherited blood disorder in the United States, affecting approximately 100,000 Americans, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention; and

WHEREAS, SCD occurs when a person’s body produces abnormally shaped red blood cells that resemble a crescent or sickle-shape, and these cells do not last as long as normal red blood cells leading to anemia; and

WHEREAS, SCD leads to recurring episodes of severe pain, repeated and serious infections, organ damage, as well as anemia due to the shortened life span of the sickle-shaped red blood cells; and

WHEREAS, the severity of SCD varies with many people facing a shortened life expectancy and a host of recurring and debilitating health problems; and

WHEREAS, it is estimated that over 4,000 Virginians have been diagnosed with SCD, and it affects one of every 325 Black or African Americans and one of every 16,300 Hispanic Americans; and

WHEREAS, while there is no widely available cure for SCD, innovative new therapies including gene therapies are being developed and may offer potential cures for some patients; and

WHEREAS, Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Day is an opportunity for citizens to learn about the disease to gain a better understanding of the pain and symptoms sufferers encounter, to encourage continued research to find new treatments, and to show appreciation for the professionals, parents, family, and caretakers who provide love and support;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize June 19, 2023, as SICKLE CELL DISEASE AWARENESS DAY in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of our citizens.

Governor of Virginia

Proclamations