Novartis teams up with recording artist and actress Jordin Sparks and SCDAA to launch Generation S, an inspiring new sickle cell storytelling project
Novartis is teaming up with Grammy®-nominated singer, film and Broadway star Jordin Sparks and the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Inc. (SCDAA) to launch Generation S, a national sickle cell disease (SCD) storytelling project that will help rewrite the SCD story for generations to come. Generation S encourages anyone touched by SCD to help inspire the sickle cell community and educate the nation by sharing their story.
The campaign was launched at SCDAA’s 46th Annual National Convention in Baltimore, MD in October 2018. Jordin Sparks attended the Annual Unity Soiree, a special gala, held at the Annual National Convention and spoke about the campaign and her commitment to increasing awareness about sickle cell disease.
“Although I didn’t have the honor of knowing her throughout her journey, my stepsister Bryanna battled sickle cell disease her entire life,” said Jordin. “Even though we werestepsisters for a short period of time, it was the closest I’ve ever come to the disease and its struggles. I hope that Generation S will help to change how we think about sickle cell and I am proud to lend my voice to our collective stories.”
People can go to JoinGenS.com to share their experiences with sickle cell disease starting today through the end of November – as written stories, photos, or audio or video recordings. Submissions will start to be shared later in the fall, and the collection of stories from around the country will come to life in Feb. 2019. A few participants will also have the opportunity to meet Jordin in person and to work with a professional storyteller on a video to capture their personal experience with sickle cell disease.
“Through Generation S, we hope to help people understand more about sickle cell disease, including their family genetic risk factors for passing the disease on to their children,” said Beverley Francis-Gibson, President and Chief Executive Officer of SCDAA. “We are thankful for the opportunity to work with Novartis to share powerful stories about sickle cell disease that too often have gone unheard.”
“Working with the sickle cell community, we hope to educate people about the disease and raise awareness of the significant impact it has on the lives of patients and their loved ones,” said Ameet Mallik, Executive Vice President and Head, US Oncology at Novartis. “In partnership with SCDAA and Jordin Sparks, our goal is to inspire people who are touched by this difficult condition to help them to lead strong, vibrant lives.”
About Novartis
Located in East Hanover, NJ Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation is an affiliate of Novartis which provides innovative healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, cost-saving generic and biosimilar pharmaceuticals and eye care. Novartis has leading positions globally in each of these areas.
In 2017, the Group achieved net sales of USD 49.1 billion, while R&D throughout the Group amounted to approximately USD 9.0 billion. Novartis Group companies employ approximately 125,000 full-time-equivalent associates. Novartis products are sold in approximately 155 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com.