National Sickle Cell Awareness Month
September 1 - September 30
About National Sickle Cell Awareness Month
National Sickle Cell Awareness Month takes place throughout September each year in the United States. It is dedicated to raising public understanding of sickle cell disease, the most common inherited blood disorder in the country, and to supporting the people and families living with it. The observance also recognises the need for research, better treatment, and equitable care.
What is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month?
National Sickle Cell Awareness Month is an annual, month-long observance held every September to focus attention on sickle cell disease (SCD) and sickle cell trait. It is led by the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (SCDAA) alongside partners such as the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and the National Institute for Children’s Health Quality (NICHQ). The month is aimed at patients, families, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and the wider public, and it works to dispel myths, encourage blood donation, and push for investment in research and care.
When is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month?
National Sickle Cell Awareness Month runs for the whole of September. In 2026 that means it begins on Tuesday, 1 September 2026 and continues through to Wednesday, 30 September 2026. The observance is fixed to September every year, so the dates do not change. It sits alongside World Sickle Cell Day, which is marked separately on 19 June.
Why National Sickle Cell Awareness Month Matters
Sickle cell disease affects approximately 100,000 Americans, and an estimated 2 million people in the United States carry sickle cell trait. The condition causes red blood cells to become rigid and crescent, or sickle, shaped, which can block blood flow, trigger episodes of severe pain known as crises, and lead to complications including stroke, organ damage, and infection. Around 1 in 365 Black or African American babies is born with the disease, and more than 90% of people living with SCD in the United States are non-Hispanic Black or African American, with an estimated 3% to 9% identifying as Hispanic or Latino.
Because the condition disproportionately affects communities that have historically been underserved by the healthcare system, awareness efforts also confront stigma, gaps in pain management, and long-standing under-investment in research. Drawing attention to these realities helps push for fairer treatment and renewed scientific progress, including recently approved gene therapies.
How to Get Involved in National Sickle Cell Awareness Month
There are many practical ways to take part during September, whether you are personally affected by the condition or simply want to help:
- Donate blood – People living with SCD often rely on regular transfusions, and donors from Black and African American communities are especially needed because closely matched blood reduces complications. Booking a donation is one of the most direct ways to help.
- Learn the difference between the disease and the trait – Understanding that sickle cell trait is inherited and usually symptomless, while the disease is a serious lifelong condition, helps counter common misconceptions.
- Light up red – Communities, landmarks, and buildings are encouraged to glow red during September to show solidarity and spark conversation among passers-by.
- Support patients and families – Practical help, from offering lifts to medical appointments to simply listening, can ease the burden on those managing a chronic illness.
- Fundraise or donate – Contributing to the SCDAA or local community-based organisations funds research, advocacy, and direct patient support.
- Engage your elected officials – Asking representatives to issue proclamations or back legislation keeps sickle cell on the policy agenda.
- Share verified information – Posting facts and patient stories on social media using the official hashtags helps reach people who may never have heard accurate information about the condition.
- Attend or host an event – Educational webinars, community health fairs, and screening drives bring people together and make testing more accessible.
History of National Sickle Cell Awareness Month
Sickle cell disease was first described in Western medical literature in 1910, but organised awareness efforts in the United States are far more recent. In 1975, the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America and its member organisations began holding month-long events each September to call attention to the disease and the need for research and treatment.
The observance gained formal national status in 1983. That year, the House of Representatives unanimously passed a resolution, introduced by members of the Congressional Black Caucus, asking President Ronald Reagan to designate September as National Sickle Cell Anemia Awareness Month. The President signed Proclamation 5102, giving the month official federal recognition.
In the decades since, the observance has grown to include federal health agencies, hospitals, blood centres, advocacy groups, and patient communities. Its focus has broadened from raising basic awareness to advocating for newborn screening, improved pain management, and access to emerging treatments, including the gene therapies approved in recent years that offer hope of long-term relief for some patients.
Noteworthy Facts About National Sickle Cell Awareness Month
- Sickle cell disease is the most common inherited red blood cell disorder in the United States, affecting around 100,000 people.
- An estimated 2 million Americans carry sickle cell trait, often without knowing.
- Approximately 1 in 365 Black or African American babies in the US is born with sickle cell disease.
- The disease takes its name from the crescent, or sickle, shape that affected red blood cells take when they lose oxygen.
- September has been federally recognised as the awareness month since President Reagan signed Proclamation 5102 in 1983, following advocacy that began in 1975.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month?
It is a month-long US observance held every September to raise understanding of sickle cell disease and trait, support patients and families, and advocate for research and better care. It is led by the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America with federal and community partners.
When is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month in 2026?
It runs for the whole of September, from Tuesday, 1 September 2026 to Wednesday, 30 September 2026.
Who organises National Sickle Cell Awareness Month?
The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (SCDAA) leads the observance, supported by organisations including the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the National Institute for Children’s Health Quality. September was given federal recognition in 1983.
Spread the Word
Help raise awareness by sharing National Sickle Cell Awareness Month with your friends, family, and followers. Use the hashtags #SickleCellAwarenessMonth and #SickleCell2026 on social media. The more people who understand sickle cell disease, the bigger the impact on research, blood donation, and support for patients.
Related Awareness Days
- World Blood Donor Day – Marked on 14 June, it celebrates voluntary donors whose blood is vital for people living with sickle cell disease.
- World Sickle Cell Day – Held on 19 June, this global observance complements September’s month-long campaign in the United States.
- Rare Disease Day – Highlights the challenges faced by people living with rare and inherited conditions worldwide.
Links
- Visit the official SCDAA Sickle Cell Awareness Month page
- Explore more awareness days at AwarenessDays.com
2026 Awareness Days Wall Planner
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