[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 142 (Wednesday, September 30, 2015)]
[House]
[Page H6719]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           SICKLE CELL ANEMIA

  (Ms. ADAMS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss a topic near and dear 
to my heart: sickle cell anemia. Sickle cell is an inherited blood 
disease where red blood cells are abnormally shaped, making it hard to 
deliver oxygen throughout the body, often causing extreme pain, 
damaging vital organs, and possible stroke.
  I have seen these effects firsthand. My sister died from sickle cell 
just 2 weeks before her 27th birthday. I will never forget the many 
night trips to the emergency room to get care for her, since we didn't 
have health insurance.
  Back then we didn't know much about sickle cell disease. Today 
medical treatment and research for sickle cell has evolved. Thanks to 
the Affordable Care Act, more people now have health insurance, but we 
must still support Federal efforts to fund additional research and 
treatment opportunities.
  That is why I am proud to cosponsor H.R. 1807, the Sickle Cell 
Research Surveillance, Prevention, and Treatment Act, which supports 
funding for advanced medical treatment and research.
  My colleagues, please join me in recognizing September as Sickle Cell 
Awareness Month by supporting legislation to treat this disease and by 
keeping our government running so critical sickle cell research and 
treatment can continue at the National Institutes of Health.

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