Sickle Cell Awareness Month was officially proclaimed in Wyandotte County, Kansas, during a special government meeting on September 4, 2025. Mayor Tyrone Garner highlighted the urgent need for increased awareness and resources for sickle cell disease, a severe inherited condition that predominantly affects people of African descent. The disease leads to abnormally shaped red blood cells, causing severe pain, anemia, and potential organ damage.

Garner emphasized that over 100,000 individuals in the U.S. are estimated to be affected by sickle cell disease, with approximately 1 in 12 African Americans being carriers. He pointed out the barriers these individuals face in accessing quality healthcare, including geographic limitations and systemic discrimination. "It is imperative that there be greater awareness of this serious health condition," Garner stated, calling for action at local, state, and national levels.

Kevin Wake, a member of the sickle cell patient community, expressed gratitude for the proclamation, stating, "With that awareness, education, and community support, patients like me living with sickle cell will never have improved care." He urged continued efforts to support the over 600 individuals living with sickle cell disease in Kansas.

The meeting also featured an update from the University of Kansas Health System regarding new treatments for sickle cell disease, including a promising cellular therapy called LYTHGENIA. This initiative aims to provide hope for patients suffering from the condition.

The proclamation of Sickle Cell Awareness Month marks a significant step towards addressing the challenges faced by those living with this disease and highlights the need for ongoing education and support within the community.