Menu
– mts sickle cell foundation, inc. –
Sickle Cell Disease
Therapeutics Summit
PRESENTED BY:
– sanofi –
– fulcrum therapeutics –
April 18th, 2026 | 9:00AM TO 3:00PM EST
morehouse school of medicine | 720 Westview Drive Southwest, Atlanta, GA 30310
– SOLD OUT –
Advancing sickle cell solutions through collaboration and advocacy
The Sickle Cell Disease Therapeutics Summit brings together patients, caregivers, clinicians, advocates, and industry leaders for a day of education, empowerment, and hope.
This event is designed to help the sickle cell community understand — and access — the latest therapeutic and curative options available today, while building stronger connections among those committed to improving care outcomes.
Lodging Hotel: Atlanta Marriott Marquis
Attendees will make their own reservations
Lodging Hotel: Atlanta Marriott marquis
ADDRESS: 265 Peachtree Center Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30303
PHONE NUMBER: 404-521-0000
BOOKING DATES: APRIL 17 and 18 2026
Room Options Available: Single Occupancy | Double Occupancy
Room Block Cut-Off Date: March 27, 2026
Reservation Information
BOOK BY PHONE: (800) 228-9290
AGENDA
9:00 AM
Arrival - Registration - Breakfast
9:45 AM
OPENING REMARKS
10:00 AM
KEYNOTE ADDRESS: From Improved Survival to the Promise of a Cure in Sickle Cell Disease
Sponsored by Georgia Solve Sickle Cell Initiative (SolveSickle)
Presentation by Dr. Solomon F. Ofori-Acquah, PhD
Professor of Pediatrics and Calvin Smyre Endowed Chair, Emory University School of Medicine | Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar | Director, Georgia Solve Sickle Cell Initiative
10:30 AM
presenting sponsor remarks - Sanofi
Rahul Bohra - Medical Affairs
10:35 AM
SESSION ONE: Red Blood Cells in Sickle Cell Disease: What Makes Them Unique—and Why It Matters
Sponsored by Blood Rheology Solutions
Presentation by Dr. Vivien Sheehan, MD, PhD
Chief Medical Officer, MTS Sickle Cell Foundation | Professor of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine | Director of Translational SCD Research The Aflac Cancer & Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
11:05 AM
Stretch & Reset Break
11:10 AM
sponsor remarks - pfizer
Aleisha Richards, PharmD - Field Medical Director
11:15 AM
SESSION TWO: Disease-Modifying Therapies for Sickle Cell Disease: What They Do, Who They’re For, and How to Decide
Sponsored by Pfizer
Presentation by Dr. Elna Saah, MD
Clinic Director of the Life Span Comprehensive Sickle Cell Clinic at the UAB
11:45 AM
SESSION THREE: Sickle Cell Across a Lifetime: What Changes, What Doesn’t, and How to Prepare at Every Stage
Presentation by Dr. Ross M. Fasano, MD
Associate Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at Emory University School of Medicine | Hematology/Oncology Physician at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Grady Memorial Hospital.
12:15 PM
Lunch Break
12:45 PM
SESSION FOUR: [PANEL] Warrior Voices: The Real Impact of Living with Sickle Cell
Sponsored by Novo Nordisk
Moderated by Tonya Brailey, LCSW
Lifelong healthcare professional working with SCD warriors across both pediatric and adult care settings
PANELISTS
Khadeejah Tyler
Co-Founder and Chief Administrative Assistant, MTS Sickle Cell Foundation | Junior and Secretary of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), Oglethorpe University | Sickle Cell Warrior
Carlos Ford
Sickle Cell Disease Warrior & Advocate
Jasmine Garland
Sickle Cell Disease Caregiver & Advocate
1:15 PM
SESSION FIVE: 20mg Pioneer cohort update
Sponsored by Fulcrum Therapeutics
Presentation by Dr. Marjorie DeJoie-Brewer, MD
Sickle Cell Warrior | Director of Patient Strategy & Advocacy at Fulcrum Therapeutics
1:45 PM
Stretch & Reset Break
1:50 pM
sponsor remarks - Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Carlette Baaheth - Patient Educator
1:55 PM
SESSION Six: Approved Curative Therapies for Sickle Cell Disease
Sponsored by Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Presentation by Dr. Ann E. Haight, MD
Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist in the Bone Marrow Transplant Program at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (Aflac Cancer & Blood Disorders Center) | Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine
2:25 PM
SESSION SEVEN: PATIENT-CENTERED PANEL: I’m Cured. Now What? Life, Care, and Identity After Curative Therapy
Moderated by Carly Newton, RN
Sr Manager, Apheresis Clinical Marketing | Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies
PANELISTS
Jimi Olaghere, an adult SCD Warrior cured of SCD.
Dr. Naadira C. Upshaw, PsyD, ABPP
Senior Pediatric Psychologist, Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center - Children's Healthcare of Atlanta | Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine
Ashley Durden, Caregiver of SCD Warrior Princess Vaeh Anderson, cured of SCD.
2:55 PM
closing remarks
event sponsors and partners
Hope Sponsors
Strength Sponsors
EMPOWER Sponsors
Advocate Sponsors
OTHER SPONSORS AND PARTNERS
