We encourage everyone to be a part of this annual effort to increase awareness about sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait during the month of September. Individuals and organizations can join our efforts to bring attention to sickle cell disease by engaging elected officials for proclamations, hosting awareness events, distributing educational information to dispel the myths about sickle cell disease, and lighting public spaces, buildings and landmarks red! Review the information below to learn more about what the SCDAA National Office is up to during this important month.

Download our Sickle Cell Awareness Month social media toolkit.

Shout It Out on Social Media!

Get online with us and participate in one of our social media initiatives this month!

• Share information from our social media toolkit to your favorite platform.
• Join us on Facebook or Instagram on Fridays all month for sickle cell trivia! This year, we are focusing on gene therapy. Mark your calendar to test your knowledge with us!
• Save the date for our Social Media Parties on September 21, 23 and 25. More info to come!

Give Blood, Show Love

Blood transfusions are one of the most critical treatments for sickle cell patients. Join the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Inc., in recognizing National Sickle Cell Awareness Month and help us make a difference for SCD patients by pledging to donate blood. It takes one hour, and you could save someone’s life. Make a pledge today.

Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Night at Camden Yards

September 9 | 6:35 p.m. ET | Baltimore, Maryland

The Baltimore Orioles faced the Cleveland Guardians during this special event! A portion of the ticket sales supported the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Inc., the Maryland Sickle Cell Disease Association and the American Red Cross Central Maryland Chapter. A young local sickle cell warrior threw the first pitch!

SCDAA Golf Classic

September 11 | Chapel Hills Golf Glub, 3300 Golf Ridge Blvd, Douglasville, GA

The 2nd Annual SCDAA Golf Classic — a signature tournament uniting purpose, play and community to support the fight against sickle cell disease — was held Sept. 11 at the Chapel Hills Golf Club in Douglasville, Georgia. During this unforgettable day, golfers, advocates and supporters enjoyed a lively 18-hole scramble, premium giveaways, a post-round lunch and awards ceremony and on-course contests, including the exciting Closest to the Pin competition. Proceeds from the tournament benefited the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Inc., helping to fuel awareness, advocacy and support for individuals living with sickle cell disease nationwide.

Sickletini on the Hill

September 17 | 5-9 p.m. ET | Onyx Rooftop Lounge, Washington, D.C.

Join the national office during Congressional Black Caucus Week for an evening of connection, conversation and community. Meet SCDAA’s national leadership, hear about our bold vision for advancing sickle cell disease awareness and advocacy, and engage directly with the individuals shaping the future of education, advocacy and support.

Advanced registration is required. Please note that our guest list is full, but our waitlist is still open. Sign up for the waitlist.

Community Events

Join our member organizations at one of the following events this month to show the world that #SickleCellMatters!

Wisconsin Sickle Cell Summit 2026
September 3 | 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. CT | Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Hosted by Sickle Cell Warriors of Wisconsin
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Walking with Warriors – Annual Sickle Cell Walk
September 5 | 8 a.m. – 11 a.m. ET | Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Hosted by Sickle Cell Disease Association of America – West Alabama Chapter, Inc.
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46^th Annual Sickle Cell Road Race/Walk
September 5 | 9 a.m. ET | Atlanta, Georgia
Hosted by the Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia
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Walk to Break the Sickle Cycle
September 5 | 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. CT | Dineen Park, Wisconsin
Hosted by Sickle Cell Warriors of Wisconsin
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National Sickle Cell Awareness Month Blood Drive
September 9 | 12-6 p.m. PT | North Las Vegas, Nevada
Hosted by Bridging The Gap Adult Sickle Cell Disease Foundation of Nevada
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Sickle Cell Partnership Summit
September 12 | 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. ET | Durham, North Carolina
Hosted by Bridges Pointe, Inc. Sickle Cell Agency
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South Carolina Sickle Cell Walks
September 12 | Columbia, South Carolina
September 19 | Florence, South Carolina
September 26 | Sumter, South Carolina
Hosted by the James R. Clark Memorial Sickle Cell Foundation
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33^rd Annual Walk for Sickle Cell
September 12 | 9 a.m. ET | Norfolk, Virginia
Hosted by the Sickle Cell Association, Inc.
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2026 Sickle Cell Super Hero Walk
September 12 | Louisville, Kentucky
Hosted by the Sickle Cell Association of Kentuckiana
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15^th Annual Sickle Cell Stroll
September 12 | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. CT | St. Louis, Missouri
Hosted by the Sickle Cell Association of St. Louis
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45^th Annual 5K Run for Sickle Cell
September 12 | 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET | Tallahassee, Florida
Hosted by Sickle Cell Foundation, Inc.
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2026 Annual Sickle Cell Walk for Awareness & Community Marketplace
September 12 | 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. PT | Portland, Oregon
Hosted by the Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation of Oregon
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2026 Annual Sickle Cell Matters Walk
September 12 | 1 p.m. – 1 p.m. CT | Detroit, Michigan
Hosted by the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Michigan Chapter, Inc.
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2026 SCD Summit
September 16-24 | Long Beach, California
Hosted by the Cayenne Wellness Center
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Maryland Statewide Sickle Cell Picnic
September 19 | 12-4 p.m. ET | Baltimore, Maryland
Hosted by the Maryland Sickle Cell Disease Association
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Walk for Sickle Cell
September 19 | 8-10 a.m. ET | Boston, Massachusetts
Hosted by the Massachusetts Sickle Cell Association
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Walk-Jog-Bike-A-Thon
September 19 | 10 a.m. CT | Chicago, Illinois
Hosted by the Sickle Cell Disease Association of Illinois
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18^th Annual Mark Walden Memorial 5K Walk/Run
September 19 | 6:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. CT | Memphis, Tennessee
Hosted by the Sickle Cell Foundation of Tennessee
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16th Annual Steps for Sickle Cell
September 19 | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. CT | Kansas City, Kansas
Hosted by the Uriel E. Owens Sickle Cell Disease Association of the Midwest
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2026 Sickle Cell Live! Awareness Dinner
September 24 | 6-8:30 p.m. PT | Portland, Oregon
Hosted by the Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation of Oregon
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Sickle Cell Conference
September 26 | 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. CT | Indianapolis, Indiana
Hosted by the Martin Center Sickle Cell Initiative
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Community Health Fair & Sickle Cell Awareness Walk
September 26 | 7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. ET | Atlantic Beach, South Carolina
Hosted by The Riley Foundation for Sickle Cell Disease
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Walk Run Bike
September 26 | 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. ET | New Haven, Connecticut
Hosted by the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Connecticut Chapter
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