this week in sickle cell news April 5th to the 11th

By Sean Marshall
Interesting news this week involving the untied States government. A Bill was passed this Thursday from Florida Legislation that would allow research in sickle cell disease to be eligible for Closing the Gap Grant Program. This story surfaced on Saintpetersburgblog.com and outlined bill SB 94.

It was explained that the organization Closing the Gap, the one bill SB 94 directly affects, will most likely be using the grant money to “eliminate, eradicate, facilitate and educate people about the sickle cell disease and eventually, at some point, we will be able to end this in the state of Florida.”

There were some conditions however. It was noted that “projects receiving grants are required to be matched by local funds. The local community must match $1 for every $3 of grant money provided. A portion of the required matching funds may be in-kind contributions in the form of free services or human resources.” It was pointed out that the bill only came to pass because of its sponsor by state Senator Arhenia Joyner as well as state representative Bobby Powell.

If you would like to read the full article follow the link: http://www.saintpetersblog.com/archives/225248

Unfortunately this week the only specialized sickle cell center for adults in the Midwest United States is on the chopping block. This issue was first featured on myfoxchicago.com and explained a proposed bull in the Illinois state budget is no longer going to be providing funding at the university of Illinois Hospital in the city of Chicago.

According to the report, “it's the only outpatient and comprehensive care center in the Midwest, dedicated to treating adults.” Not only that but it was also reported that “the center has cured twelve adults with sickle cell, using groundbreaking stem cell procedures but by July 1st it could be gone.”

Sadly there is no funding for the center in the proposed state budget.

If you would like more information you can find the article here: http://www.myfoxchicago.com/story/28725798/funding-cut-to-uic-health-sickle-cell-center

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