About the Sickle Cell Association of New Jersey (SCANJ)
SCANJ is a 501c3 non profit community based agency established on September 1, 2009 to assist the sickle cell community, especially adults, with non – medical needs such as, support groups, transition, education, access to research, resource sharing, family follow up and other programs that improve their quality of life.
SCANJ seeks to work in partnership with the many dedicated health care professionals who provide much needed care for the sickle cell community and is open to individuals, sickle cell treatment centers, health care providers and organizations that support sickle cell disease services in the State of New Jersey.
Accomplishments:
Since being established in September of 2009, SCANJ has been able to:
Implement the New Jersey Sickle Cell Poster Child and Teen Spokesperson Program
Advocate with the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (SCDAA) on Capitol Hill for federal legislators to support efforts to increase resources for people with sickle cell disease
Initiate a support group to provide emotional and practical support and treatment information
Conduct and support Dr. Charles Drew sickle cell blood drives
Educate the community affected by sickle cell disease through special events such as A Sickle Cellabration and The Thanks For Giving Concert.
Increase awareness through newsletters, brochures, calling posts, email list serves, teleconferences and health fairs.
Serve on the American Red Cross Penn-Jersey Region Sickle Cell Donor Advisory Board
Serve on the Central-Northern New Jersey Sickle Cell Medical Advisory Board for Newark’s Beth Israel Hospital Adult Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center and provide the chair for its Public Awareness and Advocacy Committee.
Partner with, and/or support, sickle cell services of organizations in New Jersey such as Embrace Kids Foundation
Initiate the Dr. Charles F. Whitten awards for outstanding service
Host Road Trips for families affected by Sickle Cell Disease to attend regional, national and international conferences on sickle cell disease
SCANJ works in partnership with the many dedicated health care professionals who provide much needed care for the sickle cell community and is open to individuals, sickle cell treatment centers, health care providers and organizations that support sickle cell disease services in the State of New Jersey.