Sickle Cell Miami

The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America Miami-Dade County Chapter, Inc. was founded in 1978 as the Dade County Sickle Cell Foundation, Inc. We changed our name in 1995 to comply with other local affiliates of the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Inc. (SCDAA). Its membership is comprised of lay persons as well as medical and allied health professionals. It is the successor of the Dade County Sickle Cell Advisory Council which was established as the "community arm" of the University of Miami Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center in 1973.

The Miami-Dade County Chapter, Inc. is affiliated with the SCDAA, the National Voluntary Health Agency and the affiliated Combined Federal Campaign. It is a charitable non-profit organization that is exempt from taxes under section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
SCDAA Miami-Dade County Chapter, Inc. works closely with the University of Miami Sickle Cell Center in achieving its goals. It is, however, an independent and autonomous organization and reaches out to help all individuals and families affected by sickle cell disease in the Greater Miami-Dade County Community. It is funded by contributions from fraternal, civic and social organizations, individual donors and corporations.

Purpose

SCDAA Miami-Dade County Chapter, Inc. was established to encourage and support education, testing and genetic counseling in the hemoglobinopathies (sickle cell disease and related conditions); to encourage and support research in sickle cell diseases and related disorders; to encourage and support effective and sensitive medical treatment for persons with sickle cell diseases; to solicit and secure funds for the support of programs that provide these services and to provide additional direct services to persons with sickle cell diseases and their families.

Public Education

Education is a very important component of the SCDAA Miami-Dade County Chapter. It continues to participate in various community affairs to inform people about sickle cell disease: Each educational activity is designed to make people aware of sickle cell anemia and sickle cell trait, to motivate them to be tested, and to build support for servicing programs.
Some of its members are part of the Sickle Cell Speakers Bureau, which provides information to organized groups interested in knowing more about sickle cell disease. The SCDAA sponsors the educational material available at the University of Miami Sickle Cell Center.

Social Services

The sickle cell program at the University of Miami attempts to provide a multifaceted social services program to help patients feel confident about themselves and their future, to help family members lessen the impact of this chronic disease, and to resolve any problems that may prevent patients from taking advantage of opportunities for treatment.
Services Include:

• Personal and family counseling
• Direct assistance, referrals and follow-up
• Self-help, support groups facilitated by a social worker
• Youth group founded to improve patients' self-esteem
• Financial assistance to families who qualify
• Direct assistance for transportation and medical supplies (purchases and rentals)
• Food gift certificates at Thanksgiving, Christmas and special occasions