Fifth Annual Sickle Cell Caregiver Summit to Focus on Mental Wellness and Advocacy

The Sickle Cell Community Consortium (SC3), in collaboration with Cleverly Changing, LLC, The B Strong Group, and Discovering Moorer2Life, will host the Fifth Annual Sickle Cell Caregiver Summit virtually from November 13–16, 2025. This year's theme, "The Heart of Caregiving: Balancing Mental Wellness, Advocacy, and Legacy," highlights the critical role caregivers play in supporting individuals with sickle cell disease while maintaining their own well-being. The summit represents one of the largest caregiver-led conferences in the sickle cell community and continues to grow with support from Title Sponsor Vertex Pharmaceuticals and Platinum Plus Sponsor Pfizer Pharmaceuticals. Through their sponsorship and additional supporters, the event amplifies caregiver voices and ensures their experiences remain central to national conversations about sickle cell disease.

"This is more than a conference—it's a lifeline," says Elle Cole, founder of Cleverly Changing, LLC. "Each session is designed by caregivers for caregivers, creating a safe space to learn, connect, and heal together." Programming includes daily mental health and wellness sessions that provide practical tools for emotional resilience and spiritual renewal. The summit also features family-centered programming with tailored discussions for parents, siblings, spouses, and extended family members who share caregiving responsibilities. Additional highlights include interactive games, prizes, and an exclusive screening of an upcoming sickle cell docuseries by acclaimed filmmaker Janks Morton.

The Sickle Cell Community Consortium has served as a national leader for over a decade in bridging the gap between research and real-life patient experiences. The caregiver summit continues this legacy by connecting communities, advancing advocacy efforts, and promoting mental wellness within families living with sickle cell disease. Registration for the virtual event is available at https://scdcaregivers.org. This event matters because it addresses the often-overlooked mental health needs of caregivers, who face significant emotional and physical demands while supporting individuals with a chronic, painful condition. By providing practical tools and creating a supportive community, the summit helps prevent caregiver burnout and improves overall care quality for sickle cell patients. The involvement of major pharmaceutical sponsors like Vertex Pharmaceuticals and Pfizer Pharmaceuticals signals growing recognition of caregivers' essential role in healthcare systems and may influence broader policy discussions about caregiver support. Furthermore, the summit's focus on legacy and advocacy empowers caregivers to become stronger advocates within medical settings and contribute to shaping future research priorities and treatment approaches for sickle cell disease.