VOLUME 36 SPRING 2021

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MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/PRESIDENT

We have recently celebrated the beauty of the birth of Our Lord, Jesus Christ. The Bible gives us

a limited picture of His birth and insight into His growth, development, and adult life. It seems so

very short.

Well, that is how fast life seems to pass as we age. The assets we have received, with our faults

and flaws, are all blessings from Christ. With these, our self-love and faith, we progress through

life, often without much insight or gratitude. As we age, our faith, love of God and self, and

gratitude will strengthen.

At this time the world is faced with the forces of a vicious virus. Many families have had

tragedies due to this tremendous force. SCANCA, INC. family has also been directly affected as

one of our members and her family were attacked. Let us all remember what the educators, medical personnel and

scientists are teaching us. Do listen! Protect yourself, family and the community. Remember, if you are affected by any

type of sickle cell disease, you are at a greater risk.

Stop at frequent intervals and be thankful for the blessings you have received and the strength that has allowed you to get

through life. COUNT ALL OF YOUR BLESSINGS daily and you will see that they outnumber the downside. Our flaws

may often be our greatest blessings that give us stronger faith to go on. Focus on the positive, that is the beauty of life.

God bless you all. Thank you for your continual support of our Sickle Cell Community through the Sickle Cell

Association of the National Capital Area, Inc. (SCANCA, INC.)

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SCANCA, INC. 2021 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Officers:

Iola Y. Williams, RN. -- Executive Director/President Cathy McCoy, Vice President

Beverly Ames – Secretary Lorenzo Nichols, Jr. -- Treasurer

Madline Morsha-Tayor -- Chaplain

At-Large Board Members:

Oceola Y. Briscoe, Editor Denise Garner

Barbara Harrison Shanetta T. Richardson

Iola Y. Williams

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From: Platt, Allan <aplatt@emory.edu

Co-Pay Relief Program Expanded to Include COVID-19 Payments

The Patient Advocacy Foundation recently broadened their ongoing efforts to support

individuals living with sickle cell disease navigate complex disability systems and overcome

insurance coverage and financial burdens by expanding their Co-Pay Relief program to include

coverage of COVID-19 expenses. The Co-Pay Relief program may provide direct payment for

co-payments, co-insurance and deductibles required by a person’s insurance for medications

prescribed to treat and manage their disease. The program helps patients on a first-come, first-

serve basis and processes applicants in the order in which their completed applications are

received. The maximum annual award for a single patient’s COVID-9 care is $500. Interested

patients, providers, and pharmacies may apply for assistance by calling the Co-Pay Relief team

toll-free at 866-512-3861, or by visiting https://copays.org/.

2020 ASH Advocacy Efforts

In 2020, the American Society of Hematology (ASH) continued to work with federal agencies,

leaders at the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S.

Congress to help enhance and expand government activities in sickle cell disease (SCD)

research, training, and services. As part of these efforts, in November, ASH and over 60 SCD

partner groups sent a letter to Congressional leaders asking for $5 million of dedicated funding

for the SCD Data Collection Program be included in the final House-Senate negotiated

omnibus appropriations bill for fiscal year (FY) 2021. Additionally, ASH has been working

with SCD champions on Capitol Hill to introduce legislation that would authorize the Centers

for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to develop a Medicaid demonstration project to

improve access to state-of-the-art, high quality outpatient care for individuals living with SCD

with a focus on young adults.

Improving Outcomes for Women & Girls: Directory of Clinics and Services for Women and

Girls with SCD

The Foundation for Women & Girls with Blood Disorders has created the first searchable

online database of clinics dedicated to multi-disciplinary care for females with sickle cell

disease (SCD). The Women and Girls with Sickle Cell Disease (WGSCD) Directory provides

comprehensive information on the services for women/girls with SCD, many at the 140

federally funded Hemophilia Treatment Centers (HTCs) in the United States. Most HTCs offer

a multidisciplinary, comprehensive care model where females are able to see all of the doctors

and specialists they need, including a hematologist, nurse practitioners, registered nurses,

genetic counselors, physical therapists and social workers; in addition, these clinics have

providers with specialized expertise in SCD or trait.

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A GREAT SUCCESS

The SCANCA, INC. Holiday Drive-Through Celebration was a great success, despite the pandemic! Although

Santa could not make it (he has to stay healthy for Christmas night!), plenty of SCANCA, INC. volunteers were

on hand to distribute gifts and food to over 40 families affected by sickle cell disease. Thanks to our partners:

Top Ladies of Distinction-Prince George’s County Chapter which provided over 100 gifts for families; The

Chhristopher Gipson Sickle Cell Moya-Moya Foundation provided additional gifts and gift cards; new this year

was the SickleCellCare organization connected with the African American Quilters of Baltimore and the Uhuru

Guild of Laurel, Maryland who provided handmade quilts for every person affected with Sickle Cell disease,

both children and adults. What a blessing!! We did not let the pandemic keep us from connecting with you and

we hope you had a wonderful and safe holiday season. SCANCA, INC. would love to hear from those who

attended.

We got the setup together!! (SPECIAL THANKS TO THE PG TOP LADIES OF DISTINCTION)

We delivered the gifts to our guests!!

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We cleaned up with everyone remaining in masks and practicing social distancing !!

WE SALUTE THE TOP TEENS OF AMERICA!!

s

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WORD SEARCH: ELECTIONS

Find the words in the grid. When you are done, the unused letters in the grid will spell out a hidden message.

Pick them out from the left to the right, top line to bottom line.. Words can go horizontally, vertically and

diagonally in all eight directions.

The Tween Warriors support group was created for children ages 10-17 living with sickle cell disease. The mission of the

group is to provide a safe space for children to interact with others who have the disease and to share their feelings and

experiences. The SCANCA, INC. Tween Group coordinators are Ms. Syreeta Jones and Dr. Kendall Moody.

The first Tween Warriors support group meeting was held on January 3, 2021. Approximately 10 tweens attended from

different parts of the country. We played games, gave away door prizes, and had great discussions for an hour. The

Tween Warriors support group will meet for an hour on the second Sunday of each month on a monthly basis via Zoom.

If your child or someone you know would benefit from participating please check www.scancainc.org regularly for

updated information. Registration is required. To register, go to https://forms.gle/kg7pHr1wmPYWw1XV9. If you have

any questions regarding the group, please feel free to contact Syreeta Jones at syreeta.r.jones@gmail.com.

S o l u t i o n o n p a g e 6

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SOLUTION TO WORD SEARCH:

page 5

ELECTIONS

ELECTIONS REMIND US NOT ONLY OF THE RIGHTS

BUT THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF CITIZENS

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SCANCA, INC. has a mission to enhance the education of persons with sickle cell anemia disease. This is done by

providing scholarships to students enrolled in institutions of higher learning (e.g.: college, technical school or graduate

school) Each year a $500.00 award is given to qualified applicants. Some receive several through consecutive years, if

qualified. We encourage all students to remain determine to the directions of their lives and even through adversity hold

their heads high with optimism and a “CAN DO SPIRIT.”

We congratulate these 2020 recipients and wish them much success as they continue toward their career goals.

Please mail your financial support to : SCANCA, INC. P/O. BOX 41479 WASHINGTON, DC. 20018-0879

Individual yearly Membership : $25.00 ______ Organizations/Corporation yearly Membership: $100.00

Scholarship Donation $______________________Other Donation Amount $_______________________

Name: ___________________________________________________________________________________

Address: _________________________________________________________________________________

City _______________________________State: _________________________ Zip Code: _____________

Phone Number: Home: ________________________ Work: ______________________________

Email: ____________________________ Cell phone: _____________________________________

Do you have a family member(s) with Sickle Cell? _________ Yes -- -____________No

STAY TUNED TO THE IMPORTANT INFORMATION BY THE SUPPORT GROUP AND BE A PART OF THE

SOLUTION BY TUNING INTO OUR WEBSITE AT WWW.SCANCAINC.ORG

Please mail your financial support to : SCANCA, INC.

P/O. BOX 41479

WASHINGTON, DC. 20018-0879

Send donations through Paypal.com to: EMAIL@SCANCAINC.ORG

WE ARE A 501(c)(3)Nonproit, Tax organization

Malachi A. Geter

plans to succeed in

his goal of majoring

in biological sciences

with a minor in

marine biology

Kaitlyn Adams

plans to become a

License Social

Worker specializing

in Hematology

Oncology.

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UPCOMING EVENTS – 2021 – 2022

BE A REGULAR REVIEWER OF THE SCANCA, INC. WEBSITE.

KNOW WHAT’S HAPPENING!!

SCANCA, INC. INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY COUNSELING

By Appointment Only

Contact: SCANCA, INC. Office on 202-271-5733

All SCANCA, INC. Business meetings are now virtual because of the

Coronavirus Pandemic.

P. O. BOX 41479

WASHINGTON, DC. 20018-0879