The Natchitoches Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated hosted its third annual Sickle Cell Anemia Awareness Event on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center. The event brought together community members of all ages from Natchitoches and surrounding areas to increase awareness, education, and support for individuals and families affected by sickle cell disease.
A highlight of the program was the powerful testimony of a sickle cell survivor, who shared how living with sickle cell disease has affected her life since infancy. Other survivors in attendance were also recognized for their strength and perseverance as they continue to face pain crises, hospitalizations, missed school or work, and the daily challenges associated with the disease.
Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder that affects red blood cells, causing them to become sickle-shaped and making it difficult for them to move through small blood vessels. Although the disease can be life-threatening and often has no visible signs, many people remain unaware of its impact and the ongoing need for research, education, and support.
Attendees received valuable information from the Outpatient Medical Center, which provides professional, compassionate, and supportive medical and counseling services for survivors and caregivers. The program also emphasized the importance of understanding sickle cell trait, which can affect the likelihood of a child being born with sickle cell disease when both parents carry the trait.
Collaborating partners for the event included Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, Mu Omega Zeta Chapter; The Krewe of Excellence; the Outpatient Medical Center; the Sickle Cell Anemia Research Foundation (SCARF) Alexandria; and LifeShare Blood Center Alexandria. Their partnership helped strengthen the event’s message of awareness, education, advocacy, and community support.
Continued support is essential to expanding awareness, funding research, and assisting individuals living with sickle cell disease. Community members are encouraged to consider making monetary donations to a Sickle Cell Anemia Research Foundation and donating blood through LifeShare Blood Center to help hospitalized patients who depend on lifesaving blood donations.