I’m so excited to share that this year I’ll be participating in a 24 hour World Sickle Cell Day Virtual Extravaganza. All across the world there will be different sickle cell educational events. However here in the United States, organizations like the Sickle Cell Consortium and CayenneWellness are hosting an amazing event for families.
Sickle Cell is a genetic blood disorder that affects over 20 million people worldwide. Instead of a person’s red blood cells being round they are shaped like a banana. When the misshapen blood cells stick together they cause a person to have complications like immense pain, stroke, organ failure, and more.
The event will be educational and fun. I will also be announcing my new book: The Ultimate Sickle Cell Activity Book for Kids. Several authors and I will be on live with authors Angel Woods and Princess Walls.
On my this blog I’ve shared my families journey of what it’s like to parent a child with Sickle Cell Disease.
You can check out an interview that I did with African Ancestry about advocacy and parenting a child with Sickle Cell Disease.
Join us for fun, education, and games.
World sickle Cell Day Celebrations
Also, Just a reminder, in honor of World Sickle Cell Day I partnered with Northwestern Mutual to raise awareness for World Sickle Cell Day. They are doing a mini camp for the sickle cell community. Attendees will receive a free gift (the gift includes my coloring book featured below) and also get a chance to chat with former Super Bowl Winning NFL Safety, Ryan Clark.
The virtual event will start at 2pm EST / 1pm CST / 12pm MST / 11am PST. My kids and I will be attending and we want you to join us.
A special thank you to Christine St. Vil from MomsNcharge.com and her daughters. Please check them out on IG: MomsNCharge, LivyBelleSews, and BrielleFlips.
LivyBelleSews on IG Holding A Sickle Cell Coloring Book for Kids 
MomsNCharge, LivyBellSews, and BrielleFlips on IG Holding A Sickle Cell Coloring Book for Kids 
BrielleFlips on IG Holding A Sickle Cell Coloring Book for Kids
Also, I recently joined a panel on the Dr. Vibe Show who talked about Sickle Cell Disease in Canada. We have definitely been making strides by raising awareness, but this conversation reminded us that our work is not done. There were 3 caregivers and one patient. Ulysse Guerrier shared his personal experience battling the disease and it was emotional and eye opening. Tune in and listen to the panelists below.
Are you parenting a child with special health needs?
Please check out this new resource. CDC’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” (LTSAE) program aims to improve early identification of children with developmental disabilities so children and families, regardless of race or ethnicity, can get the services and support they need. LTSAE has free resources and tools to help track milestones and monitor children’s development—including CDC’s free Milestone Tracker App. The app makes it easy to monitor milestones from age 2 months to 5 years with checklists, fun activities for each age, and guidance on what to do if you are ever concerned about how your child is developing.
