Title
To recognize September as Sickle Cell Month in the City of Columbus and to support the Ohio Sickle Cell and Health Association in their efforts to educate, advocate and support individuals and families affected by Sickle Cell Disease.
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WHEREAS, Sickle Cell Disease is an inherited blood disorder that affects nearly 100,000 people in the United States; sickle cell disease causes red blood cells to form into a crescent shape, like a sickle; sickle cells live only 10-20 days instead of the normal 120 days of regular blood cells; the damaged sickle cells may cause serious health problems, including restricted blood flow, tissue and organ damage, prolonged episodes of intense physical pain, stroke, blindness, vision problems, and an increased susceptibility to infection; and
WHEREAS, Sickle Cell Disease is most common in people from the continent of Africa or African-Americans, but can also be found in other ethnic and racial groups, including people from South and Central America, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, and India; and
WHEREAS, one out of every five hundred African-American children is born with sickle cell anemia; and
WHEREAS, the Ohio Sickle Cell and Health Association (OSCHA) was incorporated in 1977 and was originally established for the purpose of providing a payment mechanism for medically indigent adults with sickle cell disease; and
WHEREAS, the mission of the Ohio Sickle Cell and Health Association is to provide education, advocacy and statewide support to individuals and families affected by Sickle Cell Disease; this is achieved by focusing on education, testing, counseling, providing referrals, support, and various advocacy initiatives; and
WHEREAS, Sickle Cell Disease has been recognized as a global public health priority with international resolutions being passed by the African Union and UNESCO in 2005; the World Health Organization in 2006; and the United Nations in 2008, now therefore;
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CIT...
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