Whereas Sickle Cell Disease is an inherited blood disorder
that is a major health problem in the United States and worldwide;
Whereas Sickle Cell Disease causes the rapid destruction
of sickle cells, which results in multiple medical complications, including
anemia, jaundice, gallstones, strokes, and restricted blood flow, damaging
tissue in the liver, spleen, and kidneys, and death;
Whereas Sickle Cell Disease causes episodes of
considerable pain in one’s arms, legs, chest, and abdomen;
Whereas Sickle Cell Disease affects an estimated 70,000 to
100,000 Americans;
Whereas approximately 1,000 babies are born with Sickle
Cell Disease each year in the United States, with the disease occurring in
approximately 1 in 500 newborn African-American infants, 1 in 1,000 newborn
Hispanic-Americans, and is found in persons of Greek, Italian, East Indian,
Saudi Arabian, Asian, Syrian, Turkish, Cypriot, Sicilian, and Caucasian
origin;
Whereas more than 2,000,000 Americans have the sickle cell
trait, and 1 in 12 African-Americans carry the trait;
Whereas there is a 1 in 4 chance that a child born to
parents who both have the sickle cell trait will have the disease;
Whereas the life expectancy of a person with Sickle Cell
Disease is severely limited, with an average life span for an adult being 45
years;
Whereas, though researchers have yet to identify a cure
for this painful disease, advances in treating the associated complications
have occurred;
Whereas researchers are hopeful that in less than two
decades, Sickle Cell Disease may join the ranks of chronic illnesses that, when
properly treated, do not interfere with the activity, growth, or mental
development of affected children;
Whereas Congress recognizes the importance of researching,
preventing, and treating Sickle Cell Disease by authorizing treatment centers
to provide medical intervention, education, and other services and by
permitting the Medicaid program to cover some primary and secondary
preventative medical strategies for children and adults with Sickle Cell
Disease;
Whereas the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America,
Inc., remains the preeminent advocacy organization that serves the sickle cell
community by focusing its efforts on public policy, research funding, patient
services, public awareness, and education related to developing effective
treatments and a cure for Sickle Cell Disease; and
Whereas the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America,
Inc., has requested that September 2011 should be designated as Sickle Cell
disease Awareness Month in order to educate communities across the Nation about
sickle cell and the need for research funding, early detection methods,
effective treatments, and prevention programs: Now, therefore, be it
That Congress—
(1)supports the goals
and ideals of Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month; and
(2)promotes education of teachers, school
nurses, and school personnel in educational strategies such as distance
learning and tutoring that will ensure children with Sickle Cell Disease can
continue to access and pursue their education.