Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown (D-San Bernardino)
In accordance with AJR 51, Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown (D-San Bernardino) will host a public forum to educate patients and their families about sickle cell anemia on Friday, September 12, at Kaiser Permanente Palm Court II in Fontana from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
AJR 51, authored by Assemblymember Brown, declares the month of September 2014 as Sickle Cell Anemia Awareness Month in California. The resolution also urges President Obama and members of the U.S. Congress to support the continuation of funding for sickle cell anemia centers and research.
Sickle cell anemia is a serious blood disorder that causes the body to create curvy or “sickle” shaped red blood cells that block the flow of blood and prevent oxygen from getting to the body’s tissues. This can cause severe pain and organ damage.
It’s been estimated that over 90,000 Americans suffer from sickle cell disease. This illness affects 1 out of 500 African Americans and 1 out of 36,000 Latinos. It’s also been known to affect individuals of Indian, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean ancestry.
“Regardless of race or ethnicity, people of all backgrounds have been affected by this disorder,” stated Assemblymember Brown. “It’s important to have a basic understanding of sickle cell disease because it’s the first step in improving patient care.”
Next Friday’s event will feature guest speakers: Maxwell Ohikuare, M.D., San Bernardino County Public Health; Dean Richard Olds, M.D., UC Riverside School of Medicine; Michael Nduati, M.D., UC Riverside School of Medicine; Mary Brown, CEO, Sickle Cell Foundation of California; and Farron Dozier, CEO, What’z Da Count, Inc.
Topics of discussion will include an overview of education and research related to sickle cell disease from a physician’s perspective; managing the various challenges associated with the disorder from a public health perspective; the stigma related to patients living with sickle cell anemia; and sickle cell advocacy initiatives.
Kaiser Permanente Palm Court II is located at 17284 Slover Avenue, Fontana. RSVP by contacting Jon Gaede or Josue Castillo at (909) 381-3238 or by emailing jon.gaede@asm.ca.gov or josue.castillo@asm.ca.gov.
Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown represents the 47th Assembly District, which includes Colton, Fontana, Grand Terrace, Rialto, San Bernardino, and the unincorporated communities of Bloomington and Muscoy.