Awareness is the beginning. Advocacy creates change.
Listen to the people living with sickle cell. Their experiences should shape the care, policies, research, and resources meant to serve them.
Artlist prompt
A young woman speaking into a handheld microphone at an outdoor community rally, steady and confident, a small crowd behind her out of focus, any signs blank. Low angle. Square frame with the subject centered: it is shown inside a circle. Bright, clean lifestyle photograph, soft natural daylight, light and uncluttered background with plenty of open space, genuine smiles and movement, candid and unposed, true-to-life skin tones, one small pop of red in wardrobe or props, shallow depth of field. No text, no logos, no watermarks, no hospital branding.
Seven ways to act
Pick the one that fits your life right now. Every one of them matters.
Share Your Story
Your experience can educate, encourage, and inspire action.
Share Your VoiceStart or join a local group
Bring people together where you live.
Find a GroupVolunteer
Give a few hours at an event or behind the scenes.
Sign upBecome an Ambassador
Represent the community at events and online.
ApplyAttend an Event
Listening sessions, workshops, walks, and more.
See eventsPartner With Us
For churches, schools, health systems, employers, and sponsors.
Start a conversationDonate
Support the voices behind the mission.
Support the MissionCampaigns powered by real stories
Each campaign pairs first-person voices with facts from verified sources and one clear step you can take.
Artlist prompt
Tight portrait of a man in his 30s listening intently, chin resting on his hand, another person's shoulder soft in the foreground. Bright, clean lifestyle photograph, soft natural daylight, light and uncluttered background with plenty of open space, genuine smiles and movement, candid and unposed, true-to-life skin tones, one small pop of red in wardrobe or props, shallow depth of field. No text, no logos, no watermarks, no hospital branding.
Listen to Sickle Cell Warriors
Putting lived experience in front of the people who make decisions about care.
Add your voiceArtlist prompt
A young woman sitting on the edge of her bed in soft morning light, eyes closed, one hand resting on her chest, calm and composed. Respectful, not distressed. Bright, clean lifestyle photograph, soft natural daylight, light and uncluttered background with plenty of open space, genuine smiles and movement, candid and unposed, true-to-life skin tones, one small pop of red in wardrobe or props, shallow depth of field. No text, no logos, no watermarks, no hospital branding.
Artlist prompt
A teenage boy laughing while shooting a basketball on a neighborhood court at golden hour, friends cheering behind him. Bright, clean lifestyle photograph, soft natural daylight, light and uncluttered background with plenty of open space, genuine smiles and movement, candid and unposed, true-to-life skin tones, one small pop of red in wardrobe or props, shallow depth of field. No text, no logos, no watermarks, no hospital branding.
Scenes to cut together
1. Feet and legs walking in step on pavement, many people. Low angle. 4 seconds.
2. Deep-red shirts in a long line down a tree-lined street, seen from behind. 5 seconds.
3. A hand raised in a small crowd; cut to faces turning to listen. 4 seconds.
4. Wide shot of the group arriving at the steps of a public building. 4 seconds.
Look: Bright, clean, steady handheld or gimbal footage at 24 fps, soft natural daylight, light uncluttered settings, real joy not staged, small pops of red. No text, no logos, no audio needed.
Framing: Any signs or banners must be blank. This one runs full width under a red overlay with text centered on it.
Poster still (ACTION-IMG-02, 1920 × 1080 px), Artlist prompt: A long line of people in deep-red shirts walking together down a tree-lined street at an awareness walk, seen from behind, early morning sun ahead of them. Bright, clean lifestyle photograph, soft natural daylight, light and uncluttered background with plenty of open space, genuine smiles and movement, candid and unposed, true-to-life skin tones, one small pop of red in wardrobe or props, shallow depth of field. No text, no logos, no watermarks, no hospital branding.
Progress happens when warriors, caregivers, healthcare professionals, educators, advocates, and community organizations work together.
New to advocacy? Start here.
You do not need a title or a platform. You need one true story and one person to tell it to.
Learn the basics
Ten minutes with our plain-language guides is enough to speak with confidence.
Explore ResourcesListen to one story
Hear what living with sickle cell is like from someone who does.
Hear Our VoicesShare one thing this week
Use our email and social media templates and awareness graphics.
Get the toolkitTell your story to a decision-maker
Our short guide covers what to say, how long to speak, and what to ask for.
Read the tipsFind your people
Advocacy lasts longer when you are not doing it alone.
Find a Group
Bring Voices for Sickle Cell to your school, workplace, or church.
Meaningful collaboration starts with listening. We welcome partners who are committed to centering lived experience and working alongside the sickle cell community, not simply speaking for it.
- Host an awareness presentation
- Sponsor an event
- Refer a family or community member
- Host a blood drive or health fair
- Join the community organization directory
Artlist prompt
A pastor, a school counselor and a nurse in plain clothes standing together talking in a community hall doorway, friendly and engaged. Bright, clean lifestyle photograph, soft natural daylight, light and uncluttered background with plenty of open space, genuine smiles and movement, candid and unposed, true-to-life skin tones, one small pop of red in wardrobe or props, shallow depth of field. No text, no logos, no watermarks, no hospital branding.
Nothing about our community without our community.
Stay close to the work
Stories, events, and ways to act. A few emails a month.
Voices forSickle Cell
To raise awareness, amplify voices, and support the Sickle Cell community through education, advocacy, and collaboration.
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Voices for Sickle Cell provides community education and resource information. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For urgent medical concerns, contact your healthcare provider or call 911.
SKY cannot give medical advice. For symptoms or treatment questions, contact your care team. In an emergency, call 911.