(Atlanta, GA) June 1, 2022 – The MTS Sickle Cell Foundation proudly announces today that Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed a proclamation declaring June 19th, 2022 as Sickle Cell Awareness Day in the state of Georgia. The MTS Sickle Cell Foundation worked with its local, state, and national partners in collaboration with the Governor’s office to achieve this state proclamation.

“It is crucial that Sickle Cell Disease receives local, state, and federal support to help all Georgians living with this devastating and lifelong disease,” said Mapillar Dahn, Founder/CEO of MTS Sickle Cell Foundation. “We are so grateful to Governor Kemp and the entire state for embracing the fight of these resilient warriors. We also want to thank the many dedicated advocates in Georgia, many of whom are people impacted by SCD, for working tirelessly to raise awareness, support, and sensitivity surrounding this global health issue. This declaration is a large step in helping families fight this terrible disease.”

Nationally, SCD affects about 100,000 Americans, approximately 10,000 of whom reside in the state of Georgia. SCD disproportionately occurs in Black and Brown populations – affecting 1 in 365 Black and African Americans births and 1 in 16,300 Hispanic Americans births.

This state declaration was accompanied by three additional local government declarations in Georgia initiated by: Commissioner Felicia Franklin of Clayton County; Mayor Pro Tem and Councilwoman Renee Saunders Knight of the City of Morrow; and Councilwoman Rosannette Kirby of the City of Lovejoy.

Hundreds of non-profit organizations at the local and national level are helping support awareness and a cure for Sickle Cell Disease. MTS Sickle Cell Foundation has worked with the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Democratic Governors Association (DGA), Republican Governors Association (RGA), National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) among others to increase awareness and funding for SCD, and provides a host of support services to families impacted by Sickle Cell Disease.

To find out more information or read the state proclamation, visit mytheesicklers.org/proclamation

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About MTS Sickle Cell Foundation, Inc.

Inspired by her three daughters who battle sickle cell disease, Mapillar Dahn founded MTS Sickle Cell Foundation, Inc., a national non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness of Sickle Cell Disease and supporting families who are impacted by this global health issue. Since 2015, the organization has built a very engaged online presence of over 40 thousand users from all over the world, with awareness efforts reaching tens of millions across the globe through television, social media, billboard advertisements, speaking engagements, and more. MTS Sickle Cell Foundation has sponsored over 100 children battling sickle cell disease to a week-long summer camp, provides financial and academic support to Sickle Cell patients and their families, and more. For more information, visit MTS Sickle Cell Foundation at www.mythreesicklers.org or follow @mythreesicklers on Instagram.