The Greater Boston Sickle Cell Disease Association Inc Launches New Website to Reflect Organizational Name Change

The Greater Boston Sickle Cell Disease Association Inc launches a new website to reflect organizational name change, new strategic direction and 10th Annual Community Awards and Scholarship Banquet Friday 28 September 2007 at the Boston Quincy Marriott. The Greater Boston Sickle Cell Disease has been helping families in the Greater Boston area since 1995.

Boston, MA (PREB) August 23, 2007 -- The Greater Boston Sickle Cell Disease Association, Inc (formerly the Community Sickle Cell Support Group Inc,) announces the name change to reflect the new strategic restructuring and upcoming 10th Annual Community Awards and Scholarship Gala.

The Greater Boston Sickle Cell Disease Association, Inc (formerly CSCSGINC) is a 501 c 3, nonprofit organization which advocates for and provides life enhancing support services to all patients with sickle cell disease living in the Greater Boston community. The organization was founded in 1995 by Rev Ronald Stephenson to "do something about the lack of sickle cell awareness and support services for families affected by Sickle Cell Disease" in the Greater Boston area. Through his work patients, their families and the community have been educated on the Sickle Cell Treatment Act and disparities in health care when it comes to treatment of and access to treament of Sickle Cell Disease. These disparities also include the lack of federal and philanthropic funding.

do something about the lack of sickle cell awareness and support services for families affected by Sickle Cell Disease

The Greater Boston Sickle Cell Disease Association was formed with the participation of a small group of patients and their family members, health care workers at Brigham and Women's Hospital, and Boston Medical Center. The vision was to provide support services for all patients with SCD in our region. Today as the organization celebrates its 10th Annual Community Awards, Scholarship and Fundraising Banquet Friday 28 September 2007, it has proven to be a valuable community resource and is at the forefront of sickle cell awareness in Greater Boston. Sickle Cell Disease affects 1 in every 400 African Americans and 1 in every 19,000 hispanics. The Greater Boston Sickle Cell Disease Association Inc has raised funds to send countless students to college who may not have otherwise attended as well as help families in the community who often state how glad they are to have a support group that understands the different challenges patients face. The GBSCDA serves hundreds of patients in the community and also families, educators and community organizations. As we move forward with the organization, more patient led programs are being iniated so the patient and thier families can have more impact on finding a cure for sickle cell disease as well as maintenance programs to continue the achievements of community collaborations.

The GBSCDA collaborates with several organizations and provides a list of essential support services to patients with sickle cell disease from many area hospitals and health centers including Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston Medical Center, Children's Hospital Boston, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, New England Medical Center, and a number of other area hospitals and community health centers. Please join us on Friday 28 September 2007 as we celebrate the achievements of Honorees: Matthew Fishman, Vice President of Community Health, Partners HealthCare System, Krystal Hatchett, Model and GBSCDA Volunteer, Michelle Burnett, Children's Hospital Boston, Maria Pelidis, M.D., Tufts-New England Medical Center, Keona Lemons, NP, RN, Boston Medical Center, and Ghazala Usmani, M.D., University of Massachusetts Memorial Hospital.
Awardees: Murielle Turmitus, Jessica Villegas, and Caitlin Vandal. If you cannot attend consider donating a ticket to a sickle cell patient and family. You can also participate in our live auction of signed Celtics basketball and Wonderful Hotel & Spa Packages are also available.

If you are interested in finding out more about Sickle Cell Disease or how you can help please contact us today at 617-427-4100, or visit us online at www.cscsginc.org where you can immediately donate to our banquet and other fundraising efforts.

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