NAACP Chariman Brock to Speak at Sickle Cell National Convention

Sept. 2, 2010 - PRLog -- BALTIMORE, MD  – The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (SCDAA) today announced that in addition to its previously communicated keynote lecturers for the upcoming 38th Annual Convention, NAACP Chairman Roslyn M. Brock  will be presenting the keynote remarks at the Convention’s Dorothye Boswell Gala & Awards Banquet on Thursday evening, September 23rd.Chairman Brock made history in February 2010 when she became the youngest ever and fourth woman to serve as Chairman of the NAACP National Board of Directors (http://www.naacp.org/index.php/pages/roslyn-m.-brock).

Chairman Brock says, “Sickle cell disease is a debilitating disease that effects over 70,000 people in the U.S., disproportionately impacting African Americans.  I am committed to supporting organizations like SCDAA in finding a cure for this disease.  It is an issue close to my heart because I know people, some of them family members, who have lived with the painful effects of this disease for years.  The time is now to give voice to a disease people don’t hear much about in the media, but nonetheless impacts the quality of life of thousands each year.”

The theme for this year’s convention is “Giving New Voice to Sickle Cell ~ 100 Years of Recognition.” The SCDAA Annual Convention is a time when health professionals and individuals with sickle cell disease and related conditions come together to learn the latest developments in research, treatment, and services related to the disease.

This year’s event is particularly meaningful because, according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, it was 100 years ago (November 1910), that the Archives of Internal Medicine published a report by Dr. James B. Herrick titled 'Peculiar Elongated and Sickle-shaped Red Blood Corpuscles in a Case of Severe Anemia'. In this groundbreaking study, Dr. Herrick described the experience of a young dental student from Grenada attending the Chicago College of Dental Surgery. Soon after arriving to dental school, the student sought medical attention and the abnormal shaped red blood cells in the student were first noted. These cells, along with anemia and symptoms typical of the disease soon became known as 'sickle cell anemia'. This year marks the 100th anniversary of this important case report. (http://www.cdc.gov/features/sicklecell/)

In addition to Chairman Brock, this year’s keynote lecturers include:

1.   Kofi A. Anie, PhD – Dr. Anie is currently affiliated with the Haematology and Sickle Cell Centre at the Central Middlesex Hospital in London, England and will deliver the Dr. Walter Clement Noel Lecture on Friday, September 24th.  This lecture’s namesake (Dr. Walter Clement Noel) is recognized as the first sickle cell patient who was evaluated by Dr. James Herrick in 1910. It is this medical case that marks the 100th anniversary of the discovery of the disease.

2.   Griffin Rodgers, M.D., M.A.C.P. - Dr. Rodgers is currently Director of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) in Washington, D.C. and will deliver the Clarice D. Reid, M.D. Lecture on Friday, September 24th. This lecture’s namesake (Dr. Clarice D. Reid) led the National Sickle Cell Disease Program for many years and all of the research that currently benefits patients today. Her career at the National Institute of Health was well decorated as she received many awards, to include the Presidential Meritorious Executive Rank Award. Dr. Reid was also honored as one of “America’s Leading Black Doctors” by Black Enterprise Magazine. Dr. Reid remains very active in professional and civic activities today.

3.   J.J. Strouse, M.D., PhD – Dr. Strouse is currently the Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland and will deliver the Charles F. Whitten Lecture on Thursday, September 23rd. This Lecture’s namesake (Dr. Charles F. Whitten) was the Co-founder and President Emeritus of SCDAA and distinguished professor and Associate Dean Emeritus at the Wayne State University School of Medicine. It was at Wayne State University where Dr. Whitten was Director of the University’s Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center for 19 years. His contributions to sickle cell activities at both the local and national level are both well-documented and groundbreaking. Dr Whitten was dedicated to the cause of sickle cell disease until his death in August of 2008.

Conference Registration
To register or learn more about the 38th Annual Convention being held from September 21st through 24th at the Gaylord National Hotel & Conference Center in Washington, D.C., log onto www.scdaaconvention.com or call the SCDAA toll free at 800-421-8453.


About SCDAA
The mission of SCDAA is to advocate for and enhance its membership's ability to improve the quality of health, life and services for individuals, families and communities affected by sickle cell disease and related conditions, while promoting the search for a cure for all people in the world with sickle cell disease. For more information, visit www.sicklecelldisease.org.