Category Archives

MARAC Statements

In 2020, SCDAA’s Medical and Research Advisory Committee (MARAC) was formed to address community concerns about COVID-19. Since then, MARAC’s team of acclaimed sickle cell experts have provided important guidance on topics like gene therapy, vaccinations, infectious diseases and more. MARAC’s global reach helps inform sickle cell warriors, caregivers and providers across the world.

MARAC Leadership

  • Dr. Edward Donnell Ivy
    Chief Medical Officer

  • Dr. Crawford Strunk
    Vice Chief Medical Officer

MARAC Encourages Clinical Research Studies

  • October 19, 2022
  • Emma Day

The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (SCDAA) Medical and Research Advisory Committee (MARAC) believes that progress in sickle cell disease... Continue Reading

MARAC Advisory Statement: Immunizations

  • August 31, 2022
  • Emma Day

August is National Immunization Awareness Month. What does that mean for individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD)? The Big Picture from... Continue Reading

MARAC Advisory Statement: Monkeypox

  • July 20, 2022
  • Emma Day

July 20 – The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America’s Medical and Research Advisory Committee (MARAC) is aware of the news... Continue Reading

MARAC Advisory: COVID-19 and Sickle Cell Disease

  • March 17, 2022
  • Emma Day

March 2022 – The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America’s Medical and Research Advisory Committee notes that news about COVID-19 continues... Continue Reading

MARAC Advisory Statement: Update About COVID-19

  • December 23, 2021
  • Emma Day

December 23, 2021 – The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America’s Medical and Research Advisory Committee reminds the sickle cell community... Continue Reading

SCDAA News Advisory: Partial Hold on Gene Therapy Trial

  • December 23, 2021
  • Emma Day

On December 20, the FDA placed a partial hold on bluebird bio’s clinical program for lovotibeglogene autotemcel (lovo-cel) gene therapy, temporarily... Continue Reading

MARAC Advisory Statement Update About COVID-19 Vaccines

  • October 1, 2021
  • admin

September 24, 2021 — News about COVID-19 continues to move quickly as we weather the pandemic. The Sickle Cell Disease Association... Continue Reading

MARAC Issues Updated COVID-19 Guidance

  • September 7, 2021
  • admin

August 26, 2021 – The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America Medical and Research Advisory Committee has released two statements with... Continue Reading

MARAC Statement on Gene Therapy & Bone Marrow Therapies

  • May 15, 2021
  • admin

Please note: A previous version of this advisory incorrectly stated that MARAC is aware of three cases of leukemia and other... Continue Reading

Temporary Suspension of Clinical Trials

  • March 2, 2021
  • admin

  March 1, 2021 – The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America’s Medical and Research Advisory Committee (MARAC) is aware of... Continue Reading