The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America St. Petersburg Chapter celebrated its 51st anniversary with a benefit dinner on Saturday, Sept. 9.
BY RAVEN JOY SHONEL | Staff Writer
ST. PETERSBURG — The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (SCDAA), St. Petersburg Chapter celebrated its 51st anniversary with a benefit dinner on Saturday, Sept. 9, at the University of South Florida. This fundraiser is held annually to help bring awareness to the disease and support client programs and services throughout the year.
Amongst the beautifully decorated tables sat elegantly dressed ladies with equally handsome men all there to support sickle cell awareness. Pinellas County Commissioner Rene Flowers played the role of mistress of ceremony and kept the program moving with her down-to-earth personality, helping eventgoers feel at home.
Tylir Ross, 2021-23 ambassador
Founder and President Mary Murph has been in the trenches to eradicate sickle cell disease for more than 50 years. After discovering that her two daughters were afflicted with sickle cell, she knew she had to find out as much as she could about the disease.
She soon realized that there wasn’t enough information available and worked to ensure other families in St. Pete would not have to struggle to find information and the help they needed.
“We were the first chapter in the State of Florida, and we are older than the national chapter,” proclaimed Murph, who stated President Joe Biden declared September National Sickle Cell Month.
Murph said sickle cell ravages millions of innocent people because there is a lack of equity in the healthcare system. This year, the St. Pete Chapter went into the community, spreading educational awareness, visiting churches and holding golfing events. They were present at health fairs and have a shadow box with a “Sickle Cell Matters” t-shirt at the Woodson African American Museum of Florida, “which makes the daily statement that sickle cell is important.”
“And we even had the Sunshine Skyway lit up in red on June 19, which was Sickle Cell Awareness Day,” exclaimed Murph.
SCDAA serves as a catalyst in helping clients receive scholarships. Right now, they have three clients in college. Each semester, they are given $500 to continue their educational endeavors. They also help with various medical, social and psychological entities.
Tawsha Brinson and her son, Sirdarius Washington, the 2024-26 sickle cell ambassador.
Murph introduced the new sickle cell ambassador, Sirdarius Washington. Tylir Ross, the outgoing ambassador, served the chapter well for the last two years through his service and commitment to sickle cell awareness. Sirdarius has big shoes to fill, but they all feel he’s up for the job.
Sirdarius is a 13-year-old young man living with the disease. He attends Buffalo Creek Middle School in Palmetto and is in the seventh grade. His hobbies are playing sports, especially baseball and video games. He plans to be a nurse when he grows up.
Mary Murph presented Pinellas County Commissioner Rene Flowers with the Sickle Cell Disease Association Community Service Award.
An ambassador’s duties include speaking engagements; therefore, they are given a $250 clothing allowance each year.
At the end of the evening, Murph presented awards to persons in the community who are in the trenches along with her. She presented Flowers with the Sickle Cell Disease Association Community Service Award, saying, “She has qualities that exhibit fine womanhood, and certainly, she’s a woman of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. She served on numerous boards, and I’m looking for someone to take my job and move it on.”
Mary Murph presented First Baptist Institutional Church, where the Rev. Wayne G. Thompson presides, with the Sickle Cell Disease Association Community Service Award. Brother Felton accepted the award.
First Baptist Institutional Church, where the Rev. Wayne G. Thompson presides, also received a community service award, along with City Council Vice Chair Deborah Figgs-Sanders, who had a previous engagement.
Jordan Bolds and The Bold Connection ended the evening with a jazz extravaganza!
About Sickel Cell Disease
Sickel cell disease is an inherited condition that affects the red-bold cells. It is characterized by the red blood cells becoming sickle-shaped and stiff. Sickled cells are fragile and break up faster than the body can replace them, causing anemia — people with this disease experience periodic pain and other health problems.
If a person has the sickle cell trait, they have the gene for sickle cell disease. The person does not have the disease and may not have any health problems associated with the sickle cell trait. Over 2.5 million Americans — mostly Black — have the trait, and more than 100,000 – mostly Black – have the disease. If both parents have the sickle cell trait, their children could have the disease.
A person who has sickle cell disease can be a victim of what is known as a sickle cell pain episode or crisis. When a large number of sickle cells damage and plug blood vessels, it is difficult or impossible for the blood to circulate normally, causing severe pain, which may occur in any part of the body.
A pain episode may require immediate medical attention and could be set off by an infection, fatigue, unusual stress, over-exertion or high altitudes. The periodic obstruction of blood vessels damages many organs and may cause other health problems, such as leg ulcers resulting from poor circulation, strokes and decreased resistance to infections.
For more information about the sickle cell disease or to donate to the St. Pete Chapter, visit sicklecellstpete.org.
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