June 19 is World Sickle Cell Awareness Day. The international awareness day is observed annually with the goal to increase public knowledge and an understanding of sickle cell disease, and the challenges experienced by patients and their families and caregivers.

This year’s global theme is “Global Action, Local Impact: Impowering Communities for Effective Self-Advocacy.” Read a statement from the Global Alliance of Sickle Cell Disease Organizations (GASCDO) on this important topic.

Shine the Light on Sickle Cell

Shine the Light is a national awareness campaign to celebrate World Sickle Cell Day. We invite you to join with friends, family, neighbors and others in your community, as people around the nation and across the globe host and hold local gatherings to shine the light on sickle cell disease. Together, we must and will find a universal cure for sickle cell disease! Learn more. 

Summer Sickletini Happy Hour | Baltimore, Maryland (IN PERSON!)

Join us for a joyful, celebration of community, culture and collective action. Guests will enjoy an evening of connection and impact — complete with light bites and entertainment. Enjoy sickletinis and mocktinis and celebrate and stand with us in support of sickle cell warriors everywhere. Click here to register!

Our Community’s 2025 Events

• Red Ribbon Gala & Scholarship Awards | June 7 | Boston, Massachusetts
  Hosted by the Massachusetts Sickle Cell Association
• 2025 Walk-A-Thon | June 7 | Huntsville, Alabama
  Hosted by the North Alabama Sickle Cell Foundation – Huntsville 
• Sickle Cell Week | June 14-19 | Birmingham, Alabama
  Hosted by the SCDAA Central Alabama Chapter – Birmingham
• Juneteenth | June 14 | Wellington, Florida
  Hosted by the Sickle Cell Foundation of Palm Beach County & Treasure Coast, Inc.
• 2025 World Sickle Cell Day 24-Hour Marathon Event | June 19 | Virtual
  Hosted by the Cayenne Wellness Center
• Juneteenth Block Party with a Sickle Cellabration | June 19 | Newark, New Jersey
  Hosted by the Sickle Cell Association of New Jersey
• World Sickle Cell Day Celebration | June 19 | Katy, Texas
  Hosted by Sickle Cell Association of Houston
• Vertex Gene Therapy Overview for Sickle Cell Disease | June 19 | Wilmington, Delaware
  Hosted by TOVA Community Health
• Celebrating World Sickle Cell Day at Juneteenth Festival | June 19 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin
  Hosted by Sickle Cell Warriors of Wisconsin
• World Sickle Cell Day Concert, Youth Talent Show and Juneteenth Pop-Up | June 21 | Miami, Florida
  Hosted by the SCDAA Miami-Dade County Chapter
• 2025 Bowling to Raise Sickle Cell Awareness One Pin at a Time! | June 21 | Tinley Park, Illinois
  Hosted by the Sickle Cell Disease Association of Illinois
• 29^th Annual Sickle Cell 5K Run/Walk | June 21 | Indianapolis, Indiana
  Hosted by the Martin Center Sickle Cell Initiative
• Annual Dr. Charles Drew Blood Drive | June 21 | Kansas City, Missouri
  Hosted by Uriel E. Owens Sickle Cell Disease Association of the Midwest
• 7th Annual Education Day – Evolving Care: The Future of Sickle Cell in These Uncertain Times | June 21 | Pikesville, Maryland
  Hosted by the Maryland Sickle Cell Disease Association
• 2nd Annual Sickle Cell Awareness Walk | June 21 | Ypsilanti, Michigan
  Hosted by SCDAA – Michigan Chapter
• 2nd Annual Strike Out Sickle Cell Bowling Event | June 24 | Alexandria, Louisiana
  Hosted by Sickle Cell Anemia Resource Foundation

WORLD SICKLE CELL DAY 2024