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) was incorporated in 1977 and was originally established to provide a payment mechanism for adults with sickle cell disease who were medically indigent; and
WHEREAS, OSCHA's mission is to provide education, advocacy, and support statewide to individuals and families affected by sickle cell disease; and
WHEREAS, in the United States it is estimated that over 100,000 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, affecting people of almost all races and especially affecting people of African, Indian, Central and South American, Middle Eastern, Caribbean and Mediterranean descent; 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 nationally and locally; and
WHEREAS, the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America wants the public to reflect on the children and the adults whose lives have been affected by this disease, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That Columbus City Council does hereby proclaim September as Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month in the City of Columbus.