September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month. The James R. Clark Memorial Sickle Cell Foundation will host its 17th annual Sickle Cell Walk to commemorate the month on September 30 at 8:30 am at Martin Luther King Jr. Park at 2300 Greene Street in Columbia.
The theme for this year’s walk is Choices not Chances – Know your Sickle Cell Trait Status.
Don Frierson, host of the noonday radio show “The Urban Scene,” will serve as the 2023 Walk Ambassador. Frierson is a long-standing advocate, volunteer and supporter of the mission and goals of the JRC Memorial Sickle Cell Foundation. There will be a special appearance by Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott, who served as our 10th year Walk Ambassador.
The Walk is the vision of Peggy Funny, whose daughter is affected by sickle cell disease.
Participants are able to register for the event online at strictlyrunning.com
The registration fee is $25 per person and includes a commemorative t-shirt, which can be mailed to participants or picked up in person at the Foundation office. A $5 discount code: WARRIOR, is also available online. Proceeds from the event will benefit the James R. Clark Memorial Scholarship Fund, which provides educational awards to college-bound high school graduates and enrolled college students living with Sickle Cell Disease.
Schedule of Events:
7:30 am – On-site registration
8 am – Opening Ceremonies
8:30 am – Walk Begins
The mission of the James R. Clark Memorial Sickle Cell Foundation is to optimize the social, psychological and physiological well-being of individuals with sickle cell disease through screening, counseling and education. The Foundation continues the legacy of the late Dr. James R. Clark, who was a trailblazer in improving medical treatment for sickle cell patients, as well as educating people about the prevention of this chronic illness. Although more prevalent among people of ethnic ancestry, sickle cell disease afflicts all groups and races. For more information, visit www.jamesrclarksicklecell.org.