The Sickle Cell Disease Association of Harford and Cecil Counties, The William E. Proudford Sickle Cell Fund, IHomes and Maryland Sickle Cell Disease Association hosted a Legislative Day in Annapolis on Feb. 1.
Representing the Harford/Cecil County Sickle Cell Association were Betty Johnson, Denise Williams, Rudy Williams and Bobby Parker. Karen Proudford, President of the William E. Proudford Sickle Cell Fund, Inc., was the event organizer.
The purpose of the day in Annapolis was to educate legislators about the disease and to solicit their support for resources for adults living with sickle cell disease. The group also requested support for future legislation that will provide funding to expand IHomes and Infusion Centers in more areas of Maryland.
Legislators and others heard from several adults living with SCD who had despairing experiences in getting health services, and maintaining employment. Most often, poor health care services are the result of a lack of knowledge about the disease among health care providers.
Several legislators addressed the group of more than 80 with information of possible legislation, such as designating September as Sickle Cell Month in Maryland and funding to support research.
