PRESS RELEASE
PRESS STATEMENT
October 24, 2024
McKinsey & Company Volunteers Beautify the Community with Flower Planting Initiative
On October 18th, a group of dedicated employees from McKinsey & Company gathered at The Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia (SCFG) to get a head start on spring, by planting bulbs around the Foundation.
The initiative is part of McKinsey & Company’s ongoing commitment to social responsibility and environmental sustainability. The employees planted a variety of bulbs that will bloom into beautiful flowers and add vibrancy to SCFG and the surrounding neighborhood.
The afternoon started with a brief lesson about sickle cell disease and SCFG’s role in assisting people living with the condition. Then, McKinsey & Company volunteers, along with SCFG employees, got busy planting.
Several of the volunteers had personal and professional experience with sickle cell disease.
Michael Allen, a McKinsey & Company employee, shared the story of his mother, who lived with sickle cell disease. Several others spoke about a colleague’s sister, who recently lost her battle with the disease.
This successful event provided McKinsey & Company employees with an opportunity to connect with residents and reinforce the company’s commitment to fostering community well-being.
McKinsey & Company is a global consulting firm, designed to operate as a single global partnership, united by a strong set of values. The company is equally committed to attracting and developing a talented and diverse group of colleagues, and helping clients create meaningful and lasting change.
For more information, visit mckinsey.com
PRESS STATEMENT
September 28, 2024
By: Tabatha McGee, Executive Director
Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia, Inc.
I am very saddened that our Sickle Cell Warriors must discontinue taking Oxybrata.
In a statement, Pfizer said its decision to halt distribution was “based on the totality of clinical data that now indicates the overall benefit of Oxybrata no longer outweighs the risk in the approved sickle cell patient population”.
However, many Warriors have told me about their success using It. After I attended several meetings with Pfizer, I was informed that the risks outweighed the benefits.
Pfizer has assured the sickle cell community there is a pipeline of other therapies in development.
While we are extremely concerned, I ask all of us to stay hopeful and patient. Pfizer is promising to address the sickle cell community in a town hall meeting.
I am personally troubled and impacted by this decision, as I have close friends, employees, and Warriors taking Oxybrata with success. My ultimate concern is finding another therapy that they feel comfortable taking with the advice of their provider as we await Pfizer’s next steps.
Let’s all stay prayerful as we navigate through this shocking revelation.
Thank you.
Tabatha McGee, Executive Director
Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia, Inc.
2391 Benjamin E. Mays Drive, SW
Atlanta, Georgia 30311
Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia, Inc. Announces the44th Sickle Cell 5K Road Race/WalkAnnual Fundraiser Culminates with a FREE Outdoor Concert Featuring Hypnotic Sohl and a Candlelight Vigil in downtown East Point. Race/Walk starts at 6 PM
ATLANTA, GA [August 8, 2024] —. Lace up your sneakers and join the Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia, Inc. (SCFG) for the 44th Sickle Cell Road Race/Walk, an annual charity fundraiser that’s not just a race, it's a celebration of community and support for those affected by sickle cell disease (SCD). Registration for the 5K Race/Walk is now open at www.sicklecellrace.com
Kicking off at 6 PM at East Point City Hall, 2757 East Point Street, on Saturday, September 14th, the event promises an evening filled with fun, fitness, and fantastic music! Let’s come together with family and friends to make a difference and raise awareness for a cause that touches millions of lives worldwide and more than 14,000 here in Georgia alone.
“Our annual event has certainly become a family affair for so many supporters of the sickle cell community,” said SCFG Executive Director Tabatha McGee. “With the support of our amazing community, we are coming together for a day filled with excitement, music, and remembrance. Join us for the race, the after-race concert, and the vigil as we unite to raise awareness for sickle cell disease. Together, we can make a difference and show our solidarity with those affected by this condition.”
The after-race concert will feature soulful music and good times by Atlanta recording artist Hypnotic Sohl on the East Point City Hall Front Lawn.
Hypnotic Sohl will bring a fully immersive concert experience with electrifying performances uniting Recording Artist Phoenix Sohl with Producer/Saxophonist Hyptno Music. This immersive concert will blend diverse musical genres such as Jazz, R&B Soul, Latin, Pop, and World Music, where every note, every rhythm, speaks directly to the soul. Lawn chairs are welcome.
Following the concert, SCFG will honor family members and friends we have lost to the disease during our annual candlelight vigil.
The Sickle Cell 5K Road Race/Walk is a popular, charity race recognized as one of Georgia’s longest, consecutively running road races. Since its inception, it has supported the Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia’s Camp New Hope, a weeklong medically supervised camp for kids and teens living with sickle cell disease. The race/walk is an official AJC Peachtree Road Race Qualifying Event (Race Certification Code GA24033WC).
SCFG is a statewide 501(c)(3) nonprofit advocating for and serving children and adults with sickle cell and other abnormal hemoglobin. SCFG offers affordable, mobile, and in-person adult medical services, sickle cell testing, specialized care coordination, educational opportunities, and food assistance.
McGee said African Americans and other people of color are disproportionately impacted by SCD, a hereditary blood disorder that causes debilitating pain episodes and severe organ damage that can lead to early death. While in recent months there have been medical breakthroughs, there continue to be no universal, affordable cure options for those living with sickle cell.
WHAT: Sickle Cell 5K Road Race/Walk/Concert/Vigil
WHEN: Saturday, September 14, 2024 @ 6 PM
WHERE: East Point City Hall, 2757 East Point Street
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Georgia’s First Sickle Cell Sanctuary Wellness Center Hires Renowned Hematologist
August 29, 2024
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - The Sickle Cell Sanctuary Wellness Center is thrilled to announce the appointment of Dr. Anthony C. Onyegbula, D.O. as their new hematologist. Dr. Onyegbula will bring extensive expertise and a compassionate approach to the Sanctuary wellness center, reinforcing its commitment to providing exceptional care for individuals with sickle cell disease.
A highly skilled physician with an impressive background in hematology and a dedicated focus on sickle cell disease, Dr. Onyegbula is completely involved with patient care. He has collaborated closely with experts in surgery, cardiology, neurology, endocrinology, and orthopedics to provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment services for all patients while promoting optimal wellness.
With over 20 years of experience in the field, Dr. Onyegbula has demonstrated a profound understanding of the complexities of sickle cell disease.
“We are excited to welcome Dr. Onyegbula to our team”, said Yolanda Banks, Director of the Sickle Cell Sanctuary Wellness Center. “Dr. Onyegbula’s expertise and patient-centered approach align perfectly with our mission to enhance the quality of life for those affected by sickle cell disease. We are confident that Dr. Onyegbula will be a tremendous asset in our ongoing efforts to provide comprehensive and innovative care.”
The Sickle Cell Sanctuary Wellness Center is Georgia’s only holistic wellness center for people living with sickle cell disease. It offers various services, including massage therapy, acupuncture, biometrics counseling, herbal treatments, hematology, oncology, IV hydration and infusions, psychotherapy and treatment, reflexology, traditional medical care, and yoga on the lawn.
For more information about the Sickle Cell Sanctuary Wellness Center, call 404-755.1641 or visit gawellness.com
Media Contact:
Maria White Tillman, Director, Marketing and Communications
O: 404.755.1641 ext. 202
Tabatha McGee, Executive Director of the Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia, Inc. (center) cuts the ribbon at the grand opening of the Sickle Cell Sanctuary, a first-of-its-kind wellness center for people living with sickle cell disease.
ATLANTA – More than 200 esteemed guests attended the opening Tuesday, June 18th of the Sickle Cell Sanctuary, a wellness center in Atlanta that gives hope and a chance for a better life to thousands of people in the U.S. living with the debilitating and painful hereditary blood disease.
Nestled at 2391 Benjamin E. Mays Drive, this center is not just a building; it's a beacon of hope for thousands battling sickle cell disease. The event was nothing short of a celebration, showcasing a sanctuary that not only caters to the body but also nurtures the mind and spirit.The first-of-its-kind center in the U.S., offers integrated medical care along with traditional medical care in a spa-like setting, a concept that grew out of a vision of its founder Tabatha McGee, Executive Director of the Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia, Inc.
“Here, at the Sanctuary we provide an oasis of support, compassion, and expertise to ensure that every individual receives the specialized attention they deserve,” McGee told guests. “Our team of health and wellness professionals is committed to making a positive impact on the lives of those affected by sickle cell disease, by offering a range of comprehensive services tailored to meet their unique needs. We will take you on a journey towards better health and well-being. It’s a journey where you are not just a patient, you are family.”
Following the grand opening, guests were taken on a special tour of the wellness center.
“It’s beautiful. It’s very much needed in the community,” said Erica Gamble, the mother of a 32- year-old son who is living with sickle cell disease. “I certainly understand what this could do to change someone's life.”
“It’s peaceful. It is definitely a place where I will come for the services provided, said Jauquil Manson, who is living with sickle cell disease.
Growing up, she said, life was hard, especially trying to obtain medical attention.
“Very hard. Very traumatizing. Especially when you are in and out of the hospital, and when you are in pain, some doctors don’t believe you. I always hoped there was a place like this where there’s no judgment.”
With a mission to empower patients to manage their condition effectively, experience fewer pain crises, and live fulfilling lives, the Sanctuary will offer a range of services, including:
Psychotherapy and Treatment: Providing counseling to help a person identify and change troubling emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.
Nutritional counseling: Providing tailored dietary plans to manage inflammation and support overall health.
Stress management techniques: Teaching mindfulness meditation, yoga, and other practices to reduce stress and improve coping mechanisms.
Physical therapy: Personalized exercise programs to increase strength, flexibility, and manage pain.
Massage therapy: To improve relaxation, circulation, and pain.
Support groups: Providing a safe space for patients to connect, share experiences, and gain emotional support.
Educational workshops: To teach patients about SCD, pain management techniques, and healthy lifestyle choices.
The Sickle Cell Sanctuary also offers acupuncture, biometrics counseling, herbal treatments, hematology and oncology services, IV hydration and infusions, psychotherapy and treatment, reflexology, traditional medical care, and yoga on the lawn.
For more information on the Sickle Cell Sanctuary, call 404-755.1641 or to schedule an appointment visit www.gawellness.com
May 30, 2024
New Center Opens Offering Unique Approach to Treating Thousands Living with Sickle Cell Disease Tuesday, June 19th is World Sickle Cell Awareness Day
ATLANTA – As the world prepares to observe World Sickle Cell Awareness Day on June 19th, a new center in the heart of Southwest Atlanta, Ga., promises to give hope and a chance for a better life to thousands of individuals in the U.S. living with the debilitating and painful hereditary blood disease.
Located at 2391 Benjamin E. Mays Drive, where the nearest emergency medical services and a center for traditional sickle cell treatment lie at the city's only public hospital, the Sickle Cell Sanctuary promises to be an oasis that caters to the body, mind, and spirit. It opens to all seeking care on Tuesday, June 18th at 10:00 AM EST.
The center will offer integrated medical care along with traditional medical care, a concept that grew out of a vision of its founder Tabatha McGee, Executive Director of the Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia, Inc."This is a dream come true," said SCFG Executive Director Tabatha McGee, who developed the concept from a vision she had years ago. "We have always wanted to do more for our clients. Too often, those with sickle cell disease and in the midst of a pain crisis have to wait hours to receive something as basic as IV hydration and infusion. We will be offering those services and much more."
Embracing a spa-like setting, the Sanctuary promises a rejuvenating experience for SCD patients, ensuring they receive the highest care and support. It's not just a sanctuary; it's a game-changer in the SCD community.
Today millions of individuals across the world suffer from sickle cell disease, according to the World Health Organization, including more than 100,000 individuals in the United States. However, facilities offering integrated medical care with traditional medicine aren’t available.
The Sanctuary began, Tabatha said, as a reoccurring dream following a medical setback. After suffering a debilitating heart attack and stroke, she soon tried an integrated approach to her care. Tabatha's journey led her to realize her dream of helping those in the sickle cell community in a new way: a holistic wellness center specifically for sickle cell patients.
With a mission to empower patients to manage their condition effectively, experience fewer pain crises, and live fulfilling lives, the Sanctuary will offer a range of services, including:
Nutritional counseling: Providing tailored dietary plans to manage inflammation and support overall health.
Stress management techniques: Teaching mindfulness meditation, yoga, and other practices to reduce stress and improve coping mechanisms.
Physical therapy: Personalized exercise programs to increase strength, flexibility, and manage pain.Massage therapy: To improve relaxation, circulation, and pain.
Support groups: Providing a safe space for patients to connect, share experiences, and gain emotional support.
Educational workshops: To teach patients about SCD, pain management techniques, and healthy lifestyle choices.
The Sickle Cell Sanctuary will also offer acupuncture, biometrics counseling, herbal treatments, hematology and oncology services, IV hydration and infusions, psychotherapy and treatment, reflexology, traditional medical care, and yoga on the lawn.
Dr. Shalomim Halahawi, the Sanctuary's Medical Director, says the center will improve the health outcomes of sickle cell patients by taking a holistic approach to care."The holistic medicine approach should be considered primary care, especially concerning preventative care. Holistic care has been around for thousands of years. Compared to modern Western medicine, modern medicine is the child. Holistic medicine is the mother and the father."
For more information on the Grand Opening of the Sickle Cell Sanctuary, call 404-755.1641 or visit www.gawellness.com
February 5, 2024
Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia, Inc. Hosts Sickle Cell Day at the Capitol
ATLANTA – The Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia, Inc. (SCFG) will host Sickle Cell Day at the Capitol from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Wednesday, February 7, 2024.
The day will provide an opportunity for state legislators to hear concerns and challenges from those affected by sickle cell disease (SCD) throughout the state of Georgia. SCFG has been a longtime advocate for Medicaid expansion in Georgia, considering Medicaid is a key source of health insurance coverage for individuals with sickle cell disease.
SCFG Executive Director Tabatha McGee also highlighted the critical role that advocacy plays in the organization's mission.
“It was through our advocacy efforts on the state level that Georgia became a leader in implementing comprehensive testing for sickle cell anemia and other abnormal hemoglobins in newborns,” McGee said. “Thanks to these efforts, many young lives have been saved since the 1970s.”
However, McGee emphasized that more work needs to be done to continue advancing medical treatments for sickle cell disease including gene therapy treatments.“Even with recently introduced gene therapy treatments, that some are touting as a possible cure, Medicaid doesn’t cover it,” McGee said.
Register for Sickle Cell Day at the Capitol at www.sicklecellga.org
December 19, 2023
Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia Executive Director Tabatha McGee Blasts NBC’s Saturday Night Live Skit as Blatantly Insensitive
STATEMENT:
Sickle cell disease is a serious and debilitating condition that affects millions of people around the world. It is not a joke, and it is not something to be taken lightly. That's why we were appalled when we saw the recent skit on NBC’s Saturday Night Live (Dec. 16) that made fun of those living with this condition. It was not only distasteful but also blatantly insensitive, and it only served to perpetuate harmful stereotypes and misconceptions about sickle cell disease. Sickle cell disease is not something that affects people of African descent only. And people with sickle cell disease understand the recent medical breakthroughs just as anyone else does. After all, they are the ones living with the pain that sickle cell causes. Let us never trivialize a landmark moment in medicine that could save lives in the years to come.
We cannot stand by and allow this kind of ignorance and insensitivity to go unchecked. That's why we are calling on Kenan Thompson and the producers of Saturday Night Live to apologize to the sickle cell community for their hurtful and offensive skit. We urge them to take this opportunity to become advocates for proper understanding and awareness of this condition.
At the Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia, Inc., we are committed to supporting those affected by this disease and advocating for better treatment and care. We cannot do it alone, and we need your help. Join us in the fight against sickle cell disease and stand with us in demanding respect and dignity for all those living with this condition. Together, we can make a difference and bring about positive change.
Tabatha McGee
Executive Director
Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia
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Media Contact:
Michael Thomas: 404-755-1641 ext. 237 or at mthomas@sicklecellga.org
December 19, 2023
President Joe Biden Honors Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia Executive Director Tabatha McGee
with Lifetime Achievement Award
ATLANTA – Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia Executive Director Tabatha McGee has been awarded the prestigious Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her 6,000 hours of volunteer service to the nation.
Signed by President Joe Biden, the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award honors those in our nation who exhibit outstanding character, and a strong work ethic, and demonstrate an immense dedication to their communities through service. The Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award is a high honor.
McGee was honored for her service as a U.S. Army Veteran, for her Community Service, Leadership and Mentorship, and Non-Profit Management.
“I am deeply honored and it’s something that I never expected,” McGee said. “To me, community work is not just a job, it's a way of life. It's about coming together to make a positive impact on the world around us, to lift each other up, and to ensure that everyone has access to the resources such as proper healthcare and opportunities they need to thrive. Whether it's volunteering at the Sickle Cell Foundation on day one or advocating for the expansion of Medicaid under the Gold Dome, I am always looking for ways to make a difference in someone else’s life.”
A letter accompanying the Award reads:
The American Story depends not on any one of us, not on some of us, but on all of us. I congratulate you on taking it upon yourself to contribute to the public good, and I’m proud to present you with the President’s Lifetime Achievement award in recognition of your 6,000 hours of service to this great Nation.
Throughout our country’s history, the American story has been strengthened by those who combine an optimism about what can be with the resilience to turn that vision into reality. I know I’m not alone in
recognizing that those who are willing to step up and volunteer in service of the community and country are essential to the ongoing work of forming a more perfect union.
By sharing your time and passion, you are helping discover and deliver solutions to the challenges we face – solutions that we need now more than ever. We are living in a moment that calls for hope and light and love. Hope for our futures, light to see our way forward, and love for one another. Through your service, you are providing all three.
On behalf of the American people, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to you for your volunteer leadership, and I encourage you to continue to answer the call to serve. The country is counting on you.
J R Biden
As SCFG Executive Director, McGee has made significant strides towards the success of the organization, including the opening of a new wellness center in the first quarter of 2023, expanding their laboratory to provide more extensive testing options for individuals living with sickle cell, and securing groundbreaking grants from the State of Georgia and the federal government of $2.2 million. Additionally, her accomplishments include a partnership with Grady Hospital, which allows them to identify and work with children diagnosed with sickle cell, a week-long camp sponsoring over 150 kids suffering from the disease, and tirelessly advocating for legislation to advance treatment and support of those suffering. She has grown her staff by 50% over three years, broadening support and care across Georgia.
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FDA Approves Two Breakthrough Gene Therapies to Treat
Patients with Sickle Cell Disease
For Immediate Release: December 08, 2023
The Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia responded to today’s approval of two new gene therapies by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat patients with sickle cell disease.
Sickle cell disease is a debilitating disorder that affects millions of people globally, causing excruciating pain, stroke, deadly organ damage, and other complications due to the malformed cells.
The FDA approved two milestone treatments, Casgevy and Lyfgenia, representing the first cell-based gene therapies for the treatment of sickle cell disease (SCD) in patients 12 years and older. Additionally, one of these therapies, Casgevy, is the first FDA-approved treatment to utilize a type of novel genome editing technology, signaling an innovative advancement in the field of gene therapy, according to Friday’s announcement. Casgevy, a cell-based gene therapy, is approved for the treatment of sickle cell disease in patients 12 years of age and older with recurrent vaso-occlusive crises. Casgevy is the first FDA-approved therapy utilizing CRISPR/Cas9, a type of genome editing technology, according to the FDA.
“We were anticipating the approval of one cell-based therapy today but to have two approved is remarkable,” said Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia, Inc. Executive Director Tabatha McGee. “We still are cautiously optimistic because of the costs and unknown long-term side effects. With the Casgevy therapy, we are looking at a $1.2 million procedure. Who will pay for it? Medicaid, private insurance, the struggling patient, or big pharma?
CRISPR/Cas9 can be directed to cut DNA in targeted areas, enabling the ability to accurately edit (remove, add, or replace) DNA where it was cut. The modified blood stem cells are transplanted back into the patient where they engraft (attach and multiply) within the bone marrow and increase the production of fetal hemoglobin (HbF), a type of hemoglobin that facilitates oxygen delivery. In patients with sickle cell disease, increased levels of HbF prevent the sickling of red blood cells, according to scientists.
Lyfgenia is a cell-based gene therapy. Lyfgenia uses a lentiviral vector (gene delivery vehicle) for genetic modification and is approved for the treatment of patients 12 years of age and older with sickle cell disease and a history of vaso-occlusive events. With Lyfgenia, the patient’s blood stem cells are genetically modified to produce HbAT87Q, a gene-therapy derived hemoglobin that functions similarly to hemoglobin A, which is the normal adult hemoglobin produced in persons not affected by sickle cell disease. Red blood cells containing HbAT87Q have a lower risk of sickling and occluding blood flow. These modified stem cells are then delivered to the patient, scientists say.
Both products are made from the patient’s own blood stem cells, which are modified, and are given back as a one-time, single-dose infusion as part of a hematopoietic (blood) stem cell transplant, according to an FDA news release. Although the cause of the disease has been known since 1949, treatments were slow to emerge. In 1998, the FDA approved the first drug to treat sickle cell anemia, the most common form of sickle cell disease. This drug, called hydroxyurea, is effective in some but not all patients.
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Media Contact:
Michael Thomas: 404-755-1641 ext. 237 or at mthomas@sicklecellga.org
Maria White Tillman: 404-755-1641 ext. 202 or at mwhitetillman@sicklecellga.org
Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia, Inc. (SCFG) Announces the
43rd Sickle Cell 5K Road Race/Walk
Annual Fundraiser will Culminate with a FREE Outdoor Concert and Candlelight Vigil in downtown East Point. Race/Walk starts at 5PM
ATLANTA, GA [July 6, 2023] — Early bird registration for the 43rd Sickle Cell 5K Road Race/Walk is now open. Participants who register now through July 31st will receive a $5 discount and a guaranteed souvenir T-shirt.
The charity fundraiser takes place at 5PM Saturday, September 9, 2023, in beautiful downtown East Point on a 5K route starting at East Point City Hall, 2757 East Point Street, East Point, GA 30344.
“We are excited to have the Sickle Cell Race/Walk become an evening event with a new feature this year and that is, our after-race concert,” said SCFG Executive Director Tabatha McGee. “We want this event to be a true family affair so come out to enjoy the race, the concert and delicious food from the numerous food trucks that will be onsite.”
The after-race concert will feature soulful music and good times by Atlanta recording artist Joy Anderson and band in the city hall quadrant. Lawn chairs are welcomed. A candlelight vigil will also take place in memory of family and friends we have lost.
The Sickle Cell 5K Road Race/Walk is a popular, charity race recognized as one of Georgia’s longest, consecutively running road races. Since its inception, it has supported the Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia’s Camp New Hope, a weeklong medically supervised camp for kids and teens living with sickle cell disease. The race/walk is an official AJC Peachtree Road Race Qualifying Event. SCFG is a statewide 501(c)(3) nonprofit advocating for and serving children and adults with sickle cell and other abnormal hemoglobin. SCFG offers affordable, mobile and in-person adult medical services, sickle cell testing, specialized care coordination, educational opportunities, and food assistance.
Today, African Americans and people of color are disproportionately impacted by Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) which unfortunately is characterized by pain episodes and severe organ damage that can lead to early death.
To register for the 2023 race/walk charity fundraiser, visit www.sicklecellrace.com. Enter discount code Earlybird for $5.00 off until July 31st.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Michael Thomas, SCFG Communications
Phone: 404.755.1641 ext 237-Office / 404.408.1898-Cell | Email: mthomas@sicklecellga.org