The Sickle Cell Awareness Family Day and 5K Walk, scheduled for February 22, 2025, at Pelona Vista Park in Palmdale, represents a significant community effort to address sickle cell disease (SCD), a life-threatening genetic disorder. Organized by the Cayenne Wellness Center and Children's Foundation in partnership with My Footprints LA, the event from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM seeks to shed light on a condition that predominantly affects African American and Hispanic-American populations while fostering community solidarity through education and engagement.
SCD causes red blood cells to assume a sickle shape, leading to severe complications including chronic pain, organ damage, and increased infection risks. Historically, research and healthcare advancements for this disease have been underfunded, partly due to structural racism and implicit bias in medical systems. The event aims to counter these disparities by providing a multifaceted approach to awareness, directly addressing systemic healthcare gaps that have left many patients without adequate resources or support.
Participants can engage in various activities designed to both educate and create tangible support systems. The 5K walk serves as a symbol of community solidarity, while a blood drive conducted in collaboration with the American Red Cross offers critical assistance for individuals living with SCD. Blood donors will receive a $20 Amazon gift card as an incentive for participation. Family-friendly entertainment including face painting, a bounce house, vendors, food trucks, and a DJ will help create an inclusive atmosphere that welcomes all community members regardless of their familiarity with the disease.
Event participation costs $35 per person, with all proceeds supporting efforts to improve resources, education, and care for those living with sickle cell disease. The Cayenne Wellness Center and Children's Foundation, established in 2000, demonstrates through this event its ongoing commitment to enhancing quality of life for diagnosed individuals by providing comprehensive care, education, and advocacy for both patients and healthcare providers. More information about their work can be found at https://www.cayennewellness.org.
This community gathering represents a critical opportunity for Palmdale residents to learn about a significant health challenge while making tangible contributions through participation and blood donation. By bringing together education, fundraising, and direct support mechanisms, the event creates a model for how communities can address health disparities through collective action and awareness-building initiatives that extend beyond traditional healthcare settings.
