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Pocomoke City hears sickle cell awareness presentation; mayor offers Sept. proclamation
Summary
Members of the Eastern Shore of Maryland Sickle Cell Disease Association described gaps in local care and requested a blood drive and an awareness proclamation; Mayor Todd Knott said he will issue a proclamation in September and councilmembers offered local help.
Shonda Ward, founder of the Eastern Shore of Maryland Sickle Cell Disease Association, urged Pocomoke City officials on Monday to raise awareness of sickle cell disease and to support local screening and blood-donor efforts.
Ward told the mayor and council that many people on the Eastern Shore must travel off the Shore for specialized sickle cell care because there is no local physician “trained in sickle cell,” although she said there is a hematologist and a pediatric hematologist serving the region. Ward described plans for a campaign called “Shine the Light on Sickle Cell,” blood drives, a June 23 golf tournament and a September awareness walk, and asked the council to consider a city proclamation during September, Sickle Cell Awareness Month.
The mayor, Todd Knott, responded that he is willing to issue a proclamation in September and councilmembers offered to help arrange a blood drive in Pocomoke. Ward also asked the city to illuminate a city building in red so organizers can photograph and list the city among other jurisdictions supporting awareness events.
Ward and her daughter, Sakaira Ward, described the effects of sickle cell disease and noted disparities in research and funding. Sakaira Ward said the campaign aims to improve public understanding, promote screening and provide community support for patients and families.
Council members and staff discussed possible local support: one council member suggested the public library or community center as a blood-drive site, and another said the city could provide media coverage and a formal proclamation in September. No formal council action was recorded at the meeting on funding or city-sponsored blood drives; arrangements were discussed as a community partnership request.
Ward invited council members to attend upcoming events and said organizers would provide flyers to the city. Mayor Knott said city staff and council would follow up and publicize details on the mayor’s Facebook page and at future meetings.
