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Mayor proclaims September 2025 as Sickle Cell Awareness Month; UAB and local advocates outline outreach
Summary
Mayor Randall Woodfin and council proclaimed September 2025 as Sickle Cell Awareness Month; UAB Lifespan Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center and the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (Central Alabama Chapter) described programs, clinics and public events.
Mayor Randall Woodfin and city officials on Sept. 2 proclaimed September 2025 as Sickle Cell Awareness Month and received presentations from UAB Lifespan Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center and the Central Alabama chapter of the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America.
The proclamation read in part notes that sickle cell disease (SCD) affects more than 100,000 people in the United States, that SCD affects over 5,000 people in Alabama, and that an estimated one in every 11 Black or African American children is born with the sickle-cell trait. The proclamation encouraged residents to recognize the importance of awareness, education and treatment.
Sharon Lykos, community outreach coordinator at UAB’s Lifespan Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center, described the center’s integrated adult and pediatric services, transition-from-pediatric-to-adult-care programming that begins at age 12, off-site pediatric clinics in Montgomery, Tuscaloosa and Opelika, and family-focused events including a family retreat and arts-and-medicine partnership activities planned for the month.
Sofia Lieberson, executive director of the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America Central Alabama Chapter, said City Hall will be lit red in recognition from Sept. 2 through Sept. 14. She invited council members and the public to an open house at the association’s facility at 3813 Avenue I on Sept. 9 from 5 to 7 p.m., and noted additional events in surrounding counties.
Why it matters: Council and local health organizations said the observance highlights the needs of people living with SCD and the importance of coordinated care, research and community support.
What’s next: The city lighting, public events and clinic outreach continue through the month; the proclamation asks residents to recognize patient stories and supports partnership work between UAB, Children’s of Alabama and local advocacy groups.
Ending: City and health partners urged residents to follow social-media and organizational channels for event details, patient stories and resources throughout Sickle Cell Awareness Month.
