Title
To proclaim the month of September as Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month in the City of Columbus.
Body
WHEREAS, the Ohio Sickle Cell and Health Association (OSCHA) incorporated in 1977 and was originally established from the need to provide a payment mechanism for adults with Sickle Cell disease who were medically indigent; and
WHEREAS, OSCHA's mission is to develop, implement and maintain a comprehensive coordinated approach to Sickle Cell services as well as other health interests; and
WHEREAS, in the United States it is estimated that over 70,000 people have sickle cell disease and about 1,000 babies are born with the disease each year; and
WHEREAS, sickle cell disease is a global health problem with roughly one in four hundred people of African descent has the disease while more than 8% of people of African descent worldwide carry the sickle cell trait; and
WHEREAS, the observance of National Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month originated in 1975 when the Association and its Member Organizations began conducting month long events to call attention to sickle cell disease and the need to address the problem at national and local levels; and
WHEREAS, the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America wants the public to reflect on the children and the adults whose lives, education and careers have been affected by this disease; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That Columbus City Council does hereby proclaim the month of September as Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month in the City of Columbus.