Sickle Cell Disease Association of America Denounces Humor in NBC Universal Movie Ted 2

July 9, 2015 - PRLog -- BALTIMORE, MD, July 9, 2015  -- The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (SCDAA) has sent a legal letter to NBCUniversal, denouncing the sick humor in the movie Ted 2, and demanding a public apology. “Seth MacFarlane hasn’t just lampooned people suffering with Sickle Cell Disease,” says Sonja L. Banks, President of the SCDAA, “the movie actually promulgates myths and misconceptions about the disease, making our job harder.”

The national organization has launched an online petition campaign and is organizing meetings with editorial boards, churches and other opinion makers.

In the movie Ted 2, an animated teddy bear and his friend, played by Mark Wahlberg, end up covered in “rejected” donations from men with sickle cell disease. Ted says John is covered in “black guys sperm.”  The movie audience is supposed to roll in the aisles with laughter. Critics, including noted New York Times critic Manohla Dargis, have noted shock, discomfort, and bouts of audience uneasiness.

“Mr. MacFarlane clearly knows nothing about sickle cell disease, a condition that affects 1 in 500 African Americans and 1 in 36,000 Hispanics in the US,” says the SCDAA’s President. “Making light of a disease that results in horrible pain episodes in the arms, legs, chest and abdomen, a disease that can cause stroke, damage to organs and even death … it’s just not funny.”

Seth MacFarlane is set to sing with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra on July 16^th, the home of the SCDAA. “Our lawyer has asked NBCUniversal for a public apology,” says SCDAA’s Sonja Banks. “But what would even be better would be a commitment from Seth MacFarlane and NBCUniversal to work with us on public education and a cure for sickle cell disease.”

About Sickle Cell Disease Association of America

The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Inc. (SCDAA) serves as the nation’s only volunteer organization working full time on a national level to resolve issues surrounding sickle cell disease and trait. Since 1971 the organization has been on the forefront of improving the quality of health, life and services for individuals, families and communities affected by sickle cell disease and related conditions. In addition, SCDAA has been and remains instrumental in promoting the search for a cure for all people in the world with sickle cell disease.