Monthly Archives: February 2021

Black History Month: Dr. Roland Scott

For our final #SCDHistoryHighlight of Black History month, we are excited to reflect on the life and work of Dr. Roland Scott. Dr. Scott has been celebrated as the “father of sickle cell disease” in the United States, and completed groundbreaking research as he advocated for his patients during a time of intense discrimination.
Dr. Scott was born in 1909 and graduated with his medical degree from Howard University in 1934. He spent the majority of his career in the pediatrics department of Howard University. During this time, he began to notice the high number of African American children in the emergency room experiencing sickle cell symptoms and complications. Dr. Scott was a trained allergist, but he switched his focus to help improve treatment for this misunderstood disease. A compassionate pediatrician, Dr. Scott held office hours in the evenings during which he would see African American children and families who were discriminated against and denied access to medical treatment.
Dr. Scott would go on to publish hundreds of articles on sickle cell disease during his time at Howard University. Although he did not specialize in hematology, in 1948 Dr. Scott published a paper on the sickling of red blood cells in newborns. This paper paved the way to a better understanding of sickle cell disease and laid the groundwork for newborn screening as we know it today.
In addition to being a dedicated researcher, Dr. Scott was a fierce advocate for sickle cell disease. His advocacy played a large role in the federal government’s passing of the Sickle Cell Anemia Control Act of 1971, which ensured nationwide funding for the research and treatment of sickle cell disease. In 1972, Dr. Scott founded the Howard University Center for Sickle Cell Disease, which continues to conduct research and provide care to sickle cell patients today. Dr. Scott’s work and advocacy changed the landscape for sickle cell disease, and we owe so much of our capability to treat and understand sickle cell to his efforts.

 

Black History Month 2021: Dr. Angella Dorothea Ferguson

We’re excited to continue our celebration of Black history this week by highlighting the life and work of Dr. Angella Dorothea Ferguson, a pediatrician and sickle cell pioneer. Dr. Ferguson’s research changed the landscape for sickle cell diagnosis in children and made a huge impact on how we identify and treat SCD to this day.
Dr. Ferguson was born in 1925 and received her bachelor’s and medical degrees from Howard University. After graduation, she began work as a medical researcher at Howard University’s School of Medicine, where she aimed to gather data correlating the height and weight of children with age. While completing this research, she discovered that a large number of African American children suffered from sickle cell disease, which, at the time, was a fairly unknown condition. She changed gears and committed her time to understanding how the disease presents itself in children. In doing so, she became one of the first researchers to dedicate her studies to sickle cell.
Dr. Ferguson’s research had lasting impacts on how sickle cell is diagnosed and treated. She developed a blood test to diagnose the disease in infants, and her test is the standard in most states to this day. Thanks to her research, we better understand which symptoms to look for in children and can start treating sickle cell earlier. Thanks to Dr. Ferguson for the work she has done on behalf of our community!

 

Statement from SCDAA MARAC


February 16, 2021 – We are aware of the announcement today from bluebird bio regarding the temporary suspension of the clinical trials of its LentiGlobin Gene Therapy for Sickle Cell Disease (bb1111). We have investigated the situation, and we have met with bluebird bio to discuss the information available to the public. MARAC is monitoring developments, and we will continue to communicate our findings to the community of people living with sickle cell disease (SCD).
SCDAA honors the SCD warriors who volunteer in clinical research. They have given their time so that others may benefit from new future treatments and cures.
We pay tribute to all of those whom we have lost to SCD, as we know many have died too young. We understand that clinical research is the path for progress to improved survival in SCD.
Click here to view a full list of the SCDAA Medical and Research Advisory Committee Members and download this statement.
 

SCDAA Celebrates Black History Month 2021

Sickle cell disease plays an important role in black history, and vice versa. This month, we will highlight African American sickle cell pioneers to learn more about our community’s history.
 
Our first #SCDHistoryHighlight shines a light on the life and work of our co-founder Dr. Charles F. Whitten. Dr. Whitten was a pediatric hematologist whose dedication to supporting the health of sickle cell patients paved the way for advances in screening, education and more. His pioneering work makes him one of the most important figures in sickle cell history.
 
Dr. Whitten is widely celebrated to this day for his dedication to sickle cell screening. In 1974, he established the Sickle Cell Detection and Information Center in Detroit, Michigan. The center was the most comprehensive community program in the country at the time. During his time at the center, Dr. Whitten educated children and families about sickle cell disease and created color-coded dice to teach couples about the genetic risks of the condition.
 
Prior to founding the Sickle Cell Detection and Information Center, Dr. Whitten practiced medicine for many years as a faculty member of Wayne State University School of Medicine. Dr. Whitten was dedicated to increasing the representation of African American physicians in the medical field, and created a post-baccalaureate program that graduated almost 300 students of color by it’s 30th anniversary.
 
Dr. Whitten understood the urgency of creating a national effort to address sickle cell disease, and was crucial to founding SCDAA. He also founded the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America of Michigan, which remains one of SCDAA’s original member organizations. SCDAA thanks Dr. Whitten for all he did to advance the treatment of sickle cell disease and make medicine more equitable for providers and patients. His place in our history is well deserved.