Communications
Stories of Sickle Cell in Colorado: Photoblog
Welcome to our photoblog that showcases the inspiring stories of individuals living with sickle cell disease, their families, and the healthcare professionals who support them. Through imagery and personal narratives, we aim to raise awareness and promote understanding of this condition.
MEICHELLE
Mother, Grandmother, Woman of Faith, Rap Artist, Sickle Cell Warrior
"I am one of the first female rappers/hip hop artists of Colorado, and a former Warner Brothers recording artist, singer, songwriter, entertainer. Presently, I'm on the board of the Colorado Sickle Cell Association acting as a treasurer and I was diagnosed with sickle cell anemia SC disease at the age of two, so I'm like what they call an “old warrior”. I have six children and three grandchildren; I just had my third grandchild. I'm so blessed and honored to even be able to see grandchildren, because of course they gave us that diagnosis that, 'Oh, you're not going to live past 25.' So, to see them. I'm just so blessed. I'm so thankful to God just to have them in my life."
Success Stories
The Colorado SCDC project team and their partners are proud to share the following success stories.
LEGISLATING SUPPORT SERVICES FOR PERSONS WITH SICKLE CELL DISEASE IN COLORADO
Securing state funding to provide support for persons living with SCD can be challenging. The Colorado Sickle Cell Association (CSCA) went to the Colorado Congress to educate the legislature on the impact of SCD on those living with the disease and their loved ones. Data from the Colorado SCDC project and stories of those living with the disease were used to highlight the impact of SCD, which extends beyond those living with the disease. Thanks to CSCA's perseverance and their dedication to the SCD community, the bill was passed and signed into law!
Informational Materials
Colorado SCDC Data Snapshot (Best for Digital Sharing)
Colorado SCDC Data Snapshot (Best for Print)
Podcasts and Videos
This podcast, hosted by the Colorado Sickle Cell Association, is for patients, friends, caregivers, and families of people with sickle cell disease. This interview series explores personal stories of people sharing advice and insights into living and thriving with Sickle Cell in Colorado and the world beyond.
About the Colorado Sickle Cell Association
CDC's Stories of Sickle Cell: Ayana
CDC's Stories of Sickle Cell: Constance
CDC's Stories of Sickle Cell: Tristan
CDC's Stories of Sickle Cell: Dr. Wally Smith
Publications
Birth Prevalence of Sickle Cell Disease and County-Level Social Vulnerability — Sickle Cell Data Collection Program, 11 States, 2016–2020
Kayle M, Blewer AL, Pan W, et al. Birth Prevalence of Sickle Cell Disease and County-Level Social Vulnerability — Sickle Cell Data Collection Program, 11 States, 2016–2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2024;73:248–254. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7312a1.
Sickle Cell Disease Births and Social Vulnerability (2016-2020): A Report from the Sickle Cell Data Collection Program.
Mariam Kayle, Audrey Blewer, Wei Pan, Jennifer A Rothman, Carri Polick, Joshua Rivenbark, Elliott Fisher, John J Strouse, Shelby Weeks, Jay Desai, Angie Snyder, Mei Zhou, Ankit Sutaria, Sophia Horiuchi, Jhaqueline Valle, Marci K Sontag, Joshua I Miller, Ashima Singh, Mahua Dasgupta, Issac A Janson, Najibah Galadanci, Ayme Miles, Shamaree J Cromartie, Sarah L Reeves, Krista Latta, William O Cooper, Allison Plaxco, Matthew P Smeltzer; Sickle Cell Disease Births and Social Vulnerability (2016-2020): A Report from the Sickle Cell Data Collection Program. Blood 2023; 142 (Supplement 1): 3757. doi: https://doi.org/10.1182/blood-2023-190363.
Evaluating the discriminatory ability of the Sickle Cell Data Collection program’s administrative claims case definition in identifying adults with sickle cell disease: Validation study
Singh A, Sontag MK, Zhou M, Dasgupta M, Crume T, McLemore M, Galadanci N, Randall E, Steiner N, Brandow AM, Koch K, Field JJ, Hassell K, Snyder AB, Kanter J. Evaluating the discriminatory ability of the Sickle Cell Data Collection program’s administrative claims case definition in identifying adults with sickle cell disease: Validation study. JMIR Public Health Surveill. 2023 Jun 28;9:e42816. doi: 10.2196/42816.
