The Sickle Cell Society is the only national charity in the UK that supports and represents people affected by a sickle cell disorder to improve their overall quality of life.
First set up as a registered charity in 1979, the Sickle Cell Society has been working alongside health care professionals, parents, and people living with sickle cell to raise awareness of the disorder. The Society’s aim is to support those living with sickle cell, empowering them to achieve their full potential.
The Sickle Cell Society believes that individuals with sickle cell have the right to quality care. This can only be achieved if funding is made available to educate health carers and other professionals about the condition. The Society aims to provide this.
The Society does not discriminate between the types of sickle cell disorders or the ethnic groups concerned. Both sexes are equally affected, and should have equal access to support and services within a confidential and sensitive environment. We respect the views of every patient.
We have a network of committed volunteers, who play an important part in running the charity, providing administrative backup, and helping with fund-raising activities.
Donations from the public and fundraising activities are also part of our life support. Without them, we would be unable to finance the essential research and educational projects and we would be unable to offer children a much-needed holiday. The Society benefits from the support of a wide range of individuals and organisations nationally, who together play a vital role in its success.
The Sickle Cell Society has beaten more than 350 organisations from all over the UK to be one of the eight winners of the 2018 GSK IMPACT Awards, a national award that recognises charities that are doing excellent work to improve people’s health and wellbeing.
Lisa Weaks, Head of Third Sector at The King’s Fund, said: ‘One of the impressive things about the Sickle Cell Society is that it is offering services at a community level but is also able to influence national policy. It has been instrumental in establishing national standards for the care of people with sickle cell disorder while ensuring these are firmly rooted in community needs.’
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