Earlier this month, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) hosted the Cure Sickle Cell Walk & Family Fun Day presented by West Pharmaceutical Services at Citizens Bank Park raising more than $256,000 (and counting!) to support sickle cell warriors. The morning was full of fun activities like arts and crafts, dancing, cheering, face painting and celebrating sickle cell patients and their families. The event's goal was to raise awareness about the disease and fundraise for research and patient care, critical to finding a cure. It also included a ceremonial walk to honor those with sickle cell disease (SCD).
CHOP has a large and comprehensive sickle cell program that offers all the specialty services children with sickle cell disease need, including newborn screenings, transfusions, round the clock access to a hematologist, pulmonary and cerebrovascular care, psychosocial services, and the Hematology Acute Care Unit.
Two new gene therapies now exist that correct the genetic problem that causes sickle cell disease, and clinical trials conducted at CHOP were instrumental in achieving FDA approval for these therapies. While this is an exciting development, CHOP continues to pave the way for breakthroughs in sickle cell treatment, and CHOP researchers are working on ways to make gene therapy treatment even better, without the need for chemotherapy. This approach could expand access and reduce the cost of gene therapies worldwide.
Learn more about the event by visiting chopsicklecellwalk.org
