Timeline
Learn more about our history, and the history of Sickle Cell Disease care in California. Use the arrows to click through.
1957
Founded by four African-American physicians: Browing Allen, MD, Wallace C. Marine, MD, Elmer Anderson, MD and Theodore Blevins, MD.
1969
Sickle Cell Disease Research Foundation becomes lead organization for the Sickle Cell Summer Camp program.
Sixty-three (63) campers in attendance.
1975
Mary E. Brown, SCDRF volunteer, directs the Sickle Cell Summer Camp Program.
1989
Mary E. Brown named as Executive Director of the Sickle Cell Disease Research Foundation.
1992
1957-1992 the Sickle Cell Disease Research Foundation awarded over two million dollars in research grants.
The final research grant was awarded to Yutaka Niihara, MD for his research on the effects of L-Glutamine in persons with sickle cell disease.
1995
The SCDFC holds first camp weekend for teens with sickle cell disease at Camp Max Straus in Glendale, CA. Approximately 30 teens in attendance.
1999
Mary E. Brown named President and CEO of the Sickle Cell Disease Foundation of California.
2004
The SCDFC and Children’s Hospital Oakland establishes a partnership to provide sickle cell disease education to healthcare providers and consumers throughout the state of California.
In doing so, bridges the gap between the northern and southern California sickle cell communities.
Family Weekend camp held at the Paul Newman Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, the Painted Turtle Camp in Lake Hughes, CA.
July 2004: Camp Crescent Moon held at the Painted Turtle Camp with 100 campers in attendance.
2006
The SCDFC establishes the BabySteps Parent Education Program for parents of children ages 0-5 with sickle cell disease with 5 year funding from the Maternal Child Health Bureau.
2011
The SCDFC is hit by the economic downturn in the country. Staff layoffs and office downsizing. The SCDFC receives free office space from the Community Health Charities of California.
2014
The SCDFC begins to rebuild and stabilize infrastructure.
Pacific Sickle Cell Regional Collaborative (PSCRC) established to improve the healthcare and quality of life for children and adults with sickle cell disease.
2016
Sickle Cell Clinic at MLK Jr., Outpatient Center established for adults with sickle cell disease.
The SC Crew Teen Transition Program re-established with 18 teens registered.
2018
The SCDFC Board of Directors reviews and approves a 5-year strategic plan authored by Mary Brown and Jennifer Fields, MPH.
Tony Gonzalez offers his services to the SCDFC for legislative support.
Jennifer Fields & Mary Brown write the first proposal for State support.
Our History
Answering a Community Call to Action
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The average person with sickle cell disease was dying in childhood, often of overwhelming infection.
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Ten percent of children with sickle cell disease suffered fatal or debilitating strokes.
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Many persons with sickle cell disease were burdened with recurrent pain and chronic pain.
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Children were missing a lot of school and adults found it difficult to go to work every day.\
The Sickle Cell Disease Research Foundation answered the call…
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Volunteers started organizing
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Physicians with some understanding wrote brochures for distribution to the community
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A Membership Drive took place from 1957-1960
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Two telethons raised the initial funds to hire staff and the work began