Special Edition Sickle Cell Newscast

An estimated 100,000 Americans are living with sickle cell disease (SCD), while 250,000 children are born worldwide with the disease each year. A major challenge for SCD patients, families and advocates is limited awareness of the morbidity and mortality of SCD by the general public. In order to increase the public's awareness of SCD, Children's National Medical Center (CNMC) partnered with the Prince George's County Chapter of Top Ladies of Distinction, Incorporated (PGCC of TLOD), and their Top Teens of America Program (TTA) to create an innovative and peer friendly SCD education presentation. Top Teens were trained on SCD and created a mock newscast video which creatively explained the concerns and needs of sickle cell patients. The video was presented at the Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc. Annual Healthcare for All HealthFair.

The objective of the Special Edition Sickle Cell Newscast is to increase the public's awareness of Sickle Cell Disease and to train lifelong advocates for SCD among the teen population.

The educational impact of the newscast was great. It allowed the teen advocates to fully understand the nature of SCD and share their knowledge with others. Following the video presentation, a number of observers signed SCD advocacy letters that were mailed to local politicians.