Great news coming out of Howard University this week. Howard University Hospital’s Center for Sickle Cell Disease received $11 million dollars in grants to advance their research in the world of sickle cell. The grant comes from the National Institute of Health for the sickle cell research.

Specifically, the grant is to be used to study HIV resistance in people with sickle cell and build a new Center for Hemoglobin Research in Minorities, known as CHaRM.

From Howard University’s press release: “These grants put Howard University in the forefront of advanced research,” said Sergei Nekhai, Ph.D., virologist and professor in the College of Medicine. “Howard has strong expertise which allows us to expand HIV and sickle cell research.” 

The NIH awarded Howard about $7 million to develop CHaRM. It is being planned as a center of excellence for the study of hemoglobinopathies, iron metabolism and oxygen sensing. CHaRM will be dedicated to educating and training minority students and fellows by providing research and laboratory experience. 

According to the CDC, Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a group of inherited red blood cell disorders. In SCD, red blood cells become hard and sticky and look like a C shaped farm tool called a “sickle.” The sickle cells die early, which causes a constant shortage of red blood cells. Also, when they travel through small blood vessels, they get stuck and clog the blood flow.

The disease effects predominately the African American community. It is estimated that over 100,000 African Americans have this disease in the United States alone, but the scary stat is 1 in 12 carry the trait. Therefore, this disease might not effect you or your brother, but it is likely that a relative in the near future will be affected by sickle cell.

While African Americans are dumping buckets of water to support ALS, which needs a cure, sickle cell continues to be underfunded and ravishes the African American community.

Where are our priorities?