September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month.  The observance originated in 1975 when the National Association for Sickle Cell Disease and its member organizations began conducting month-long events to raise awareness about sickle cell disease and the need to address the problem at national and local levels.

The Association (now called the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Inc. [SCDAA] and its member organizations sponsored public educational programs and fund raising activities during the month.  State and local government officials issued Sickle Cell Month proclamations and were introduced to local poster children.

The tradition of selecting a National Poster Child from local candidates began in 1976 with President Gerald Ford greeting the first winner at the White House.  Presidents Carter, Reagan, Bush and Clinton have also greeted the National Poster Child.

The effort to have Sickle Cell Month officially recognized at all levels succeeded in 1983 when the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed the resolution, introduced by the Congressional Black Caucus, asking President Reagan to designate September as "National Sickle Cell Anemia Awareness Month".  The President signed the resolution in August, 1983.

In Ohio, the bill designating the month of September as "Sickle Cell Anemia Awareness Month" was signed by Governor Bob Taft in December, 2002.

Click on Sickle Cell Health Events to learn more about statewide and national events related to sickle cell disease and other hemoglobin disorders.

Last Updated:  09/10/2008