Ruben Studdard, American Idol Winner and R&B Pop Star, Spreads the Word about Sickle Cell Disease and the Dangers of Iron Overload
National tour kicks-off June 19 at the United Nations
NEW YORK, June 17 /PRNewswire/ --
Event Highlights:
Performance by Ruben Studdard, including the world premiere of "I Am a Fighter," a song inspired by Be Sickle Smart
United Nations declaration of World Sickle Cell Day
Mayor Bloomberg of New York declares his support for the Be Sickle Smart program
Free screenings for a serious and under-recognized condition called iron overload
WHAT: The Be Sickle Smart "Empowerment Day" national tour begins in
New York City in partnership with local SCDAA chapters - Sickle
Cell/Thalassemia Patients Network (SCTPN) and Queens Sickle Cell
Advocacy Network (QSCAN). The event educates those living with
sickle cell disease (SCD) about the risk for iron overload due
to blood transfusions. The event will include:
-- Educational seminars with Dr. James T. D'Olimpio M.D. FACP,
Director, Supportive and Palliative Programs in Hematology
and Oncology, Monter Cancer Center of North Shore University
Hospital
-- Performances by Ruben Studdard with meet and greet
-- Debut and autographed copies of "Just Like Me" a children's
book authored by pediatric nurse practitioner, Tina Taylor
(available in English and Spanish)
-- Free, on-site iron overload screenings (serum ferritin tests)
for eligible patients
-- Declaration of support from Mayor Bloomberg's office
WHO: Interview opportunities with Ruben Studdard, SCDAA spokesperson
Dr. Loretta Jordan, Dr. D'Olimpio, Tina Taylor, and a person
living with SCD
WHEN: Friday, June 19, 2009; 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
-- Ruben Studdard performances at 11:40 a.m. and 2:15 p.m.
-- Book reading by children's author Tina Taylor and signing at
4:30 p.m.
-- Iron Overload Screenings 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
WHERE: Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, 1st Avenue & 47th Street, New York, NY
(Across the street from the UN)
WHY: Many people with SCD receive blood transfusions to help treat
their disease. While transfusions have important benefits, they
also can lead to a dangerous buildup of iron called iron
overload. Iron overload, characterized by the build-up of excess
iron within tissues, can develop after as few as 10 blood
transfusions. While the condition may lead to heart failure,
diabetes, liver damage, or even affect sexual development in
young people or compromise the immune system, many patients
don't recognize these symptoms until substantial damage has
already occurred. A simple blood test called a serum ferritin
test can indicate if someone is at risk for iron overload due
to blood transfusions. A serum ferritin level of over 1,000
mcg/L means that a person may be at risk for iron overload and
should talk with their physicians about treatment options.
More than 70,000 people in the U.S. have SCD, and one in 100
Hispanic Americans has the sickle cell trait.
Be Sickle Smart is a nationwide grassroots health-education
program aimed at increasing awareness of iron overload among
people living with sickle cell disease. In association with the
National SCDAA, local chapters of the SCDAA and patient advocacy
groups, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation is proud to sponsor
of the Be Sickle Smart "Empowerment Day" national tour. For
additional information about sickle cell disease and iron
overload, a list of tour dates, or to download and listen to
Ruben Studdard's song, go to www.besicklesmart.com.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Luz Varela (212) 704-8156; Nupur Raghunath, (212) 704-4435
