Title
To Celebrate September 2015 as Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month and to recognize the Ohio Department of Health Sickle Cell Services Program for their commitment to raising Sickle Cell Disease awareness in the State of Ohio
Explanation
WHEREAS, the observance of National Sickle Cell Disease Awareness originated in 1975 with month-long events to call attention to sickle cell disease and the need to address the problem nationally and locally; 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, people of African, Indian, Central and South American, Middle Eastern, Caribbean and Mediterranean descent; and
WHEREAS, the Ohio Department of Health Sickle Cell Services Program oversees funding to a statewide network of four hospital-based (Akron, Columbus, Dayton, and Cincinnati and two community-based projects (Cleveland and Toledo) that provide comprehensive sickle cell care and services for newborns, children, young adults and educational outreach for personal and professional entities; and
WHEREAS, the Ohio Department of Health Sickle Cell Services Program also works to increase strategies that maximize collaboration, coordination and utilization of all sickle cell-related services and resources in Ohio; and
WHEREAS, the Ohio Department of Health Sickle Cell Services Program is working with myriad community partners to advocate on the importance of Sickle Cell Disease Awareness during September, Now therefore;
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council recognizes the importance of the Sickle Cell Awareness Month and commends the Ohio Department of Health Sickle Cell Services Program for their work to raise awareness for Sickle Cell Disease in the State of Ohio.