For More Information about
these service programs please contact the Sickle Cell Foundation
at 850-222-2355
Client Advocacy
Please contact the office of the Sickle Cell Foundation at
850-222-2355 for a personal interview.
Public Education
We seek to make everyone aware of sickle cell anemia, its cause,
and the impact on our clients, families and the entire community. To
have everyone know the difference between sickle cell trait and
sickle cell anemia and to teach our communities how the sickling
gene is detected and who should have a sickle cell test.
We were concerned because so much of what the public heard and read
about sickle cell conditions was inaccurate, misleading, and unduly
alarming. There was very little information to help clients and
families to understand sickle cell disease. Nothing was being done
to motivate people of childbearing age (fifteen to forty-four) to
voluntarily seek sickle cell testing. Influential people in our
community, who touched the lives of patients, were not sufficiently
knowledgeable about sickle cell conditions and the services that
clients might need.
We began by telling the sickle cell story so that everyone would
know about the way sickle cell anemia is inherited and how it
affects clients. We ordered written and visual sickle cell
educational materials about sickle cell conditions and made them
available to the public and professionals. We took our educational
materials into the community. Our information packets are mailed,
distributed at health fairs, in libraries, community centers,
schools and colleges, churches and other places where people gather.
We used local newspapers, radio and television programs to help
dispel myths about sickle cell disease and to tell the public about
programs and services available at the Sickle Cell Foundation, Inc.
We also have taken advantage of every opportunity to present the
facts about sickle cell conditions to group audiences. We have
talked to social clubs, neighborhood organizations, community
services agency staff, health care and social services
professionals, school personnel, students and parent/teacher groups.
We continue to educate the community on the sickle cell facts.
Support Groups
We establish an environment in
which clients are free to explore their feelings and personal
problems related to sickle cell disease with others who have a
unique understanding of the issues. To provide a forum in which
clients can give and receive support from their peers.
Individuals with similar interests, concerns or problems can
network, share information, coping mechanisms, and generate
resources that contribute to the growth and success of the
individual members and the group.
We established a peer support group called the "Defier's Club" which
meets the fourth Friday of each month at noon. This support group
provides discussions about the way sickle cell anemia affects them,
members share their feelings and experiences and give and receive
information about mutual interests, concerns and problems. The scope
of the discussion is determined by group members, rather than
professional staff. When an issue warrants more attention, the group
invites a representative from the relevant agency or organization to
attend the meetings and address their concerns.
Sickle Cell Screening
We provide
free sickle cell screenings for everyone interested in knowing their
hemoglobin status; to identify persons of childbearing age who have
sickle cell trait and to provide them with an opportunity to obtain
detailed and accurate information which will enable them to make
informed decisions that they believe are in their best interest
regarding family planning.
Routine physical examinations seldom include sickle cell testing, so
the vast majority of African Americans, age twelve to forty-four,
have never had a test. Since sickle cell trait is not the disease
and does not affect personal health, a simple, painless blood test
is the only way people can find out whether or not they are carriers
of a trait and have the potential for having children with sickle
cell anemia. If African American couples do not know that they have
sickle cell trait they can have children with sickle cell anemia
without having an opportunity to make decisions about this
possibility or to be prepared to take care of a child with a chronic
illness.
Assistance
Prescription
Medication
We provide financial
assistance with prescription medication for sickle cell related
illnesses to clients who cannot afford it.
Sickle cell anemia is a devastating disease that requires lengthy
hospital stays, as a result in many cases clients are often unable
to remain employed. Most sickle cell adults are either uninsured
and/or receive limited government assistance insurance (Medicaid,
Medicare, SSI, or etc.). This means that clients are unable to pay
for their prescription medications.
Transportation
We provide
transportation for sickle cell related doctor and emergency room
visits for clients who have no other means of transportation, since
sickle cell clients are often unable to attend doctor's appointments
or get to the emergency room when painful episode occur or after
heavy medications.
Limited Financial Assistance
The Foundation provides limited financial assistance with the
following utilities: utilities or gas, rent, food, gas mileage and
children's clothing. The client must have a financial need and meet
the income eligibility criteria to qualify for assistance.
Counseling
We provided free sickle cell screenings and counseling at
convenient times and locations for interested persons. Today we
still provide free testing and counseling at the Foundation.
Summer Camp
The Sickle Cell Foundation, Inc. gives children with sickle cell
anemia an opportunity to spend time away from their normal
environment and in the company of children who do not have a chronic
illness at a residential summer camp.
Children with a chronic illness such as sickle cell anemia are
sometimes overprotected by their parents and not given an
opportunity to develop confidence in themselves and their ability to
function independently. This can cause the child to grow up to be a
dependent adult, unable to take charge of his or her life. Children
who do not have a chronic disease have many opportunities to learn
to function without parental supervision and to develop confidence
in themselves. We believe that children with sickle cell anemia
should have these same opportunities.
Each year the Sickle Cell Foundation, Inc. gives children with
sickle cell disease an opportunity to attend summer camp. Our
children follow the camp activity guidelines and have a lot of fun.
Other family members are welcome to participate.
Medical Referrals
The Sickle Cell Foundation recommends the following physicians based
on their quality of service to our clients and their knowledge of
the sickle cell anemia.
Note: * Indicates the physician accepts clients with low/no income
or insurance
Family Practice
Esias F. Lee,
MD
333 Capital Oaks Drive
877-7161
|
Veta
Mobley-Johnson, MD
1705 S. Adams Street
224-9598 |
Pediatrics
Alfreda
Blackshear, MD
1215 Lee Avenue
878-0229
|
Lionel A.
Henry, MD
1307 Miccosukee Road, #B
878-5147 |
Internal Medicine
Shaun E. Laurie, MD
1625 Physicians Drive
877-3154
|
Joseph L. Webster, MD
1214 Magnolia Drive
878-0471 |
Wayne Sampson, MD*
710 W. Orange Avenue
576-4073 |
|
Hematology-Oncology
J. Brian Sheddy, MD
1632 Riggins Road
877-8166
|
R. James Mabry, MD
1632 Riggins Road
877-8166 |
Ophthalmology
Tina N. Tillis, MD
2160 Capital Circle, NE.
385-0033
|
R. James Mabry, MD
1632 Riggins Road
877-8166 |
Emergency Room
Lonnie M. Draper, MD
1300 Miccosukee Rd.
681-5415
|
|
|
LEON
COUNTY SICKLE CELL FOUNDATION