The U.S. Senate on Dec. 8 unanimously approved a bipartisan resolution sponsored on the same day by U.S. Sen. Tim Scott (R- SC) that would designate September as Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month.
“Sickle cell disease continues to be a prevalent blood disorder affecting many in the black community today,” said Sen. Scott. “This resolution exhibits a commitment to raising awareness and supporting the eradication of this terrible disease.”
Sen. Scott on Dec. 8 introduced Senate Resolution (S.Res.) 868 with 13 original cosponsors, including U.S. Sens. Todd Young (R-IN) and Cory Booker (D-NJ).
If enacted, S.Res. 868 aims to educate communities across the United States about sickle cell disease and the need for research, early detection methods, effective treatments, and preventative care programs with respect to complications from sickle cell disease and conditions related to sickle cell disease, according to the text of the resolution.
“We must continue to raise awareness of sickle cell disease and ensure that communities that are disproportionately affected by this condition have equitable access to care and treatments that help improve their health,” Sen. Booker said. “The passage of this resolution reaffirms our commitment to raise awareness, improve access to care, and help find a cure for this disease.”
S.Res. 868 is identical to House Resolution 1330, which U.S. Reps. Danny Davis (D-IL) and Michael Burgess (R-TX) introduced on Sept. 2 in their chamber. The House version remains under consideration in the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health.