Blood Drive for Sickle Cell Disease and Maternal Health Awareness
Panel Discussion on the Science and Treatment of Sickle Cell Disease and its Intersection with Maternal Health
To open CTU Black Lives Matters at School Weeks, the CTU Foundation and the CTU Human Rights committee presented their dynamic annual blood drive and panel discussion aimed at shedding light on two critical issues affecting the Black community: sickle cell disease and black maternal health. The event held on February 1, 2024, featured a successful blood drive facilitated by the American Red Cross where 54 units were collected, which means up to 162 lives may be impacted!
CTU President Stacy Davis Gates opened the panel discussion speaking on lifting up the fullness of our community, our classrooms and recognizing the health impacts of our students showing that if this condition happened to those that are not majority Black, then [Sickle cell disease] would not be the thing it is right now. While the blood drive was proceeding, a panel discussion involving experts and educators to delve into the impact and importance of these health concerns.
At the heart of this event lies the legacy of Henrietta Lacks, a remarkable woman whose story exemplifies the intersection of medical breakthroughs, ethical dilemmas, and racial disparities in healthcare. Henrietta Lacks, a Black woman, unknowingly contributed to one of the most significant advancements in modern medicine. Her cells, known as HeLa cells, were taken without her consent during a medical procedure in the 1950s. These cells became the foundation for countless medical breakthroughs, including the development of treatments for sickle cell disease.
One of the key objectives of the event is to change the narrative surrounding healthcare within Black communities. Historical injustices, such as the Tuskegee Syphilis Study and Henrietta Lacks’ story, have engendered mistrust in medical institutions. Rebuilding trust requires a multifaceted approach that involves community engagement, culturally competent care, and transparency in medical research and practice. Sickle cell disease is a genetic blood disorder characterized by abnormal hemoglobin, leading to the deformation of red blood cells into a sickle shape. This can cause various complications, including severe pain, anemia, organ damage, and even stroke. While sickle cell disease affects people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds, it disproportionately impacts people of African descent. The prevalence of the disease among Black communities underscores the urgent need for awareness, support, and access to quality healthcare.
The CTU Black History Month Blood Drive for Sickle Cell Disease and Maternal Health Awareness is made possible through collaboration with various organizations committed to advancing health equity. Partners include the American Red Cross, the National Pan-Hellenic Council of Central Suburban Chicago, the Sickle Cell Disease Association of Illinois, the Chicago Teachers Union Foundation, and the Chicago Teachers Union Human Rights Committee. Together, these organizations aim to mobilize the community, raise awareness, and support initiatives that address health disparities affecting the Black community.
Panelists:
- Nina Hike, CTU Human Rights Committee
- Kwamin Wallace, The American Red Cross
- Michelle Burgess, Chicago Public Schools
- TaLana Hughes, Sickle Cell Disease Association of Illinois
- Dr. Ezekiel Richardson, Emergency Medicine physician
- Dr. Nichelle Bush, Emergency Medicine provider
- Moderated by Tara Stamps, Chicago Teachers Union
Sponsored by The American Red Cross, Sickle Cell Disease Association of Illinois, National Pan-Hellenic Council of Central Suburban Chicago, Chicago Teachers Union, and the Chicago Teachers Union Foundation.