Van Hollen Joins Booker, Davis in Introducing Bicameral World Sickle Cell Awareness Day Resolution
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) in intoducing a resolution to designate June 19, 2025 as “World Sickle Cell Awareness Day” to increase public awareness about sickle cell disease and the continued need for research, early detection, and effective treatments that lead to a cure. U.S. Representative Danny Davis (D-Ill.-12) will introduce companion legislation in the House.
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a rare, inherited disorder that causes a person’s red blood cells to become deformed and get stuck in their veins, blocking oxygen flow throughout the body. In the United States, 100,000 people are affected by SCD, including 1 in every 365 African-American births, and 1 in every 16,300 Hispanic-American births. Around the world, sickle cell disease affects millions of people, particularly in some areas of sub-Saharan Africa, South and Central America, the Caribbean, South Asia, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean basin. In countries with fewer resources, more than 90 percent of children diagnosed with sickle cell disease do not live to see adulthood. Despite being the most common inherited blood disorder in our country, research, treatment, and awareness efforts for the disease still lag far behind other chronic illnesses.
“Sickle cell disease has claimed the lives of too many people here in the U.S. and around the world far too soon, including a former staff member of mine, John Amara. With this resolution, we recognize all those we’ve lost to this terrible disease – and reinforce our commitment to working toward a better future for today’s sickle cell warriors and their families. We will not stop fighting to raise awareness, strengthen networks of care and support, and ultimately make sickle cell disease a thing of the past,” said Senator Van Hollen.
“Sickle cell disease is the most common inherited blood disorder in our county, but despite its prevalence and severe health consequences, Americans battling sickle cell still face barriers to accessing care they need,” said Senator Booker. “We must continue allocating resources for research and treatment of this disease that primarily affects communities of color. I’m proud of the progress we have made over the past few decades in combating sickle cell, but know we must do more. I’m introducing a resolution to designate June 19 as World Sickle Cell Awareness Day, and am committed to continuing to fight for improved, comprehensive, high-quality care for those diagnosed with sickle cell.”
“I’m proud to join my colleagues in recognizing June 19th as World Sickle Cell Awareness Day. Considering the health difficulties that sickle cell disease creates for millions of individuals both in the United States and globally, we need to invest more resources in improving awareness, comprehensive care, better treatments, and new cures that are accessible for those sickle cell warriors suffering from this dreadful disease,” said Representative Davis.
To read the full text of the resolution, click here.