32nd Annual Scdaa Convention
Convention Summary
Per President and COO, Dr. Willarda V. Edwards
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
In Atlanta’s Renaissance Waverly Hotel, we started the convention with a bang with the unveiling of the sickle cell stamp. However, in the wee hours of the morning (4 a.m.) our SCDAA Chairman, Dr. Ohene-Frempong, was out doing a TV media satellite tour. He reached out to thousands of people across the land about sickle cell disease, early testing and the need for better treatment and research to find a cure.
During the Stamp unveiling ceremonies, Ms. Dorothy Norwood dazzled us with song and Mr. Joseph Phillips, actor and writer, served as the emcee. He spoke of his personal experience with sickle cell disease through his sister who was an excellent example of the convention theme: “Living with Sickle Cell Disease: Overcoming Obstacles, Maximizing Opportunities”.
We moved into workshops and ended the evening with the Chairman’s reception and a word from our National Medical Association, partner, President Winston Price of New York.
Thursday, September 30, 2004
We started the Opening Ceremonies with the Charles F. Whitten lecture, given by Dr. Lennette J. Benjamin on “Relieving Pain, Restoring Function: It Takes a Village”.
The Business meeting followed and our leadership and member organizations heard from our leaders and welcomed the new President, Willarda V. Edwards, MD, MBA.
Awards were given and San Diego shone while Oklahoma beamed as their programs and educational achievements were showcased on the national stage.
The SCDAA Executive Directors and Presidents Leadership Summit was an exchange of challenges and successes across the country with our local and state member organizations and affiliates.
Vence Bonham, JD, from the National Human Genome Research Institute offered hopeful information for the future of sickle cell disease and the research findings of current projects were presented and discussed. Also, during this first plenary session, the HRSA/MCHB grant activity was highlighted and we heard about their innovative outreach efforts.
The evening was filled with folks dressed in their finery as we listened to the jazz and vocals of the Lillie Huddleston Group. We gave tribute to a pioneer in the struggle as we viewed the photos of past SCDAA conventions and heard words of fond remembrance of Ms. Dorothye Boswell.
We recognized a long time colleague in the SCDAA and sickle cell family whose unselfish contribution has sustained the Association for many years. To her surprise we “put one over” on Ms. Sonya Ross, when to her delight she was presented the President’s Award.
Worthy clients who achieved the goals of our theme this year received the special recognition as the SCDAA Adult Sickle Cell Client Regional Awards. They are commended for their accomplishments:
Ms. Josephine Cooke
Dr. Marjorie Dejoie
Ms. Marian “Asabi” Jeter
Ms. Terri Knowles
In addition to these 4 recipients, 12 other scholarships were awarded to parents and clients, a direct result of funding from HRSA’s Maternal and Child Health Bureau.
Friday, October 1, 2004
We woke up to a Power Breakfast where we discussed among ourselves the issues of Fundraising, Pain Control, Transition and getting the National Perspective of SCDAA with the new President. People were so engrossed in the warm exchange that at the end of the session we were reluctant to leave.
However, we ran to the Clarice Reid, M.D, Lecture when we realized Dr. Satcher “was in the house”! The former Surgeon General and current Director of the National Center for Primary Care in Atlanta admonished the capacity crowd to take heed to lifestyles, environmental quality, mental health and improvement in access to care. He closed with a quote, “Life is filled with golden opportunities, carefully disguised as irresolvable problems”.
We heard from panelists the rest of morning as they covered issues ranging from pain perspectives to strategies for optimal results.
We then moved into the Recognition and Awards Luncheon and heard from Georgia’s own civil rights luminary, Ambassador Andrew Young. Our sponsors were acknowledged, and staff, convention committee, board members and the host member organization, (Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia) were applauded.
We heard wonderful selections from the Clark University Choir of Atlanta as we exited to more concurrent lectures and simultaneous sessions. And we concluded the evening with a delightfully festive “Peachy Affair” put on by the local host chapter.
Saturday, October 2, 2004
We heard from our Legislative Liaison, Ms. Anita Estell who enlightened us on the position of the “Sickle Cell Treatment Act of 2003”. We were admonished to be proactive in seeing this bill come to fruition.
Mr. Mfume, President and CEO of the NAACP, reminded us of the partnerships that will assist us in our quest to find better treatments and funding which will one day lead to a cure.
Dr. Ohene-Frempong closed the meeting at noon, encouraging all to be proactive and in touch with the national office as we move the SCDAA agenda forward over the next 12 months.
Throughout the convention week we enjoyed talking to our colleagues and seeing new and old faces while taking part in the poster sessions, shopping in the marketplace and purchasing postal items which will assists in our quest to raise sickle cell awareness.
As we began, so we ended with a board meeting to continue the work of the Association until this time next year.
See you in Baltimore, Maryland: Wednesday to Saturday, September 7-10, 2005 at the Renaissance Inner Harbor Hotel.
Mark you calendars now!
