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An Overview
About Us
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide support, education, and advocacy to individuals and families impacted by sickle cell disease throughout the State of Kentucky.
Our Vision
We are committed to developing and promoting favorable resolutions to issues that impact individuals and families.
Our Beginning
The Sickle Cell Association of Kentuckiana, Inc. (SCAK) is an established 501c3 in the state of Kentucky.
SCAK’s founding members:
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The University of Louisville Medical Student Sickle Cell Project (MSSCP),
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Dr. Suzanne Ildstad, and the
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Institute for Cellular Therapeutics (ICT)
The establishment of SCAK played a major role in helping UofL to become one of ten designated National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded Sickle Cell Centers in the United States (4/1/03).
Our Influence
In 2017 our non-profit organization played a significant role in the establishment of an adult treatment facility at the Norton Cancer Institute.
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The Sickle Cell Association of Kentuckiana played a significant role in establishing Emily’s Law, Senate Bill 276, that was signed into law on April 8, 2022 by Gov. Andy Beshear.
This bill expands the Medicaid program to individuals diagnosed with sickle cell disease and requires the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to conduct an annual review of all medications, services, and forms of treatment for people with the disease.
SCAK has teamed up with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to assist in the annual review.
Our Connections
The Holy Royal Arch Masons is a non-profit organization. It is part of the oldest Masonic community in the United States, established in 1784.
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For over 15 years two of our team members have been Sickle Cell liaisons for the Kentucky Masonic Chapters and the North and South America Masonic Chapters.
The Masons support SCAK in a variety of ways, such as fundraising, providing community education, assisting with SCAK events, and much more.
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Raise RED Dance Marathon is a non-profit, Student-led philanthropic campaign that fights to better the lives of Louisville children & families culminating into a 18-hour dance marathon