MINT HILL, NC – Sickle Cell Partners of the Carolinas, a non-profit 501c (3) tax-exempt organization located in Charlotte, was formed in 2009. They support patients and families affected by sickle cell disease, a hereditary disorder that affects an estimated 100,000 Americans and thousands more across the globe. The organization’s mission is to provide network support for patients and families affected by Sickle Cell Anemia. Their ongoing mission is to raise awareness, educate the community, and advocate for a cure.
What is sickle cell illness? Normally, red blood cells are round like doughnuts and flow through the bloodstream to deliver oxygen throughout the human body. However, sickle red blood cells become hard and pointed; when they flow through small blood vessels, they can clog the bloodstream and break apart. This can cause severe pain, damage to organs, low blood count, or anemia.
Two million people in the United States carry the sickle cell trait according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). This disease impacts African Americans disproportionately; in fact, 1 in 12 has the sickle cell trait. In America, more than 1,000 babies annually are born with Sickle Cell Disease. Globally, the disease is most common in people from India, Africa, the Mediterranean, and Central and South America.
Sickle Cell Partners of the Carolinas is hosting it’s inaugural golf tournament on Friday, June 17, at Olde Sycamore Golf Plantation in Mint Hill. The tournament is appropriately named “Sickle on the Green.” This fundraising event is being held two days before World Sickle Cell Day on June 19, and the non-profit hopes to bring more awareness and educate others about this hereditary disease.
“This golf tournament is important to me because, like many others in the community, my very own family is personally affected by this disease,” said Kathy Staley. “I hope the Mint Hill/Charlotte community will support our efforts and join us for a day of fun on the golf course and get to know ‘Sickle on the Green’ as a yearly event. Join us and let’s ‘Swing for Sickle.'”
“We hope this golf tournament will be a day of engagement for patients and families, and a way for Mint Hill and surrounding communities to learn more about sickle cell disease,” adds Dagny McDonald. “It’s events like this that bring people together that can have a lasting impact on what our organization strives to achieve by raising awareness and educating others. This condition has personally touched my family and pushed us to form a non-profit with other families.”
At 8:00 am, breakfast, driving range, registration and check-in begin. The shotgun start is at 9:30 am. For more information, please contact Kathy Staley at (980) 722-0270 or Kathy.staley@sickleonthegreen.org, or Dagny McDonald at (704) 562-2760 or sicklecellpartners@gmail.com.
