Photo: Flickr/scooterdmu via CC BY 2.0
Juneteenth isn't the only thing we have to celebrate each year on June 19 -- it's also World Sickle Cell Day. Honoring this date, which commemorates the day back in 2008 on which the United Nations officially declared sickle cell disease as a public health concern, comes in many forms. Some people participate in awareness walks, some people take to social media, and others sell goods to raise funds for more research. While thinking about the many different ways people all over the world can observe World Sickle Cell Day this year, we came across this post by Sickle Cell 101, which provides some amazing ideas that are easy to get involved in. Check out some of our favorites below and then be sure to visit the full post for even more inspiration.
--Change your username on your social media accounts (i.e. Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc.) to “(Your name) fights Sickle Cell”. An example of a username on Instagram would be @cass_fights_sicklecell. If do not have Sickle Cell but would like to help raise awareness, you can substitute and think of a creative name so people can learn about Sickle Cell.
--Make and post a video explaining what Sickle Cell is and how it affects you. Post this video of Sickle Cell on your Instagram account, Facebook page, YouTube etc,
--Repost Sickle Cell facts you find on the internet or on social media platforms. If you have trouble finding Sickle Cell facts, check out Sickle Cell 101’s Facebook page and/or their Instagram account (@SickleCell101)
--Wear your Sickle Cell gear wherever you go… To the store, to work, to school, anywhere! There is no better time to wear your Sickle Cell accessories and clothes.(Click here to get your Sickle Cell awareness jewelry.)
--Get a group of your friends together and educate your friends about the disease. Many of them probably already know the basics and what you’ve told them, but allow a Q&A session after presenting your information. Allow them to ask any questions they want to better understand the disease.
We love how simple, yet meaningful, each of these ideas is. Also, since sickle cell affects 1 out of every 500 African Americans, having a combination celebration of Juneteenth and World Sickle Cell Day would be perfect! At your cookout or parade, rock your sickle cell awareness shirts, decorate with sickle cell awareness balloons, screen a sickle cell movie or documentary, collect donations from family and friends at your celebration, and have an open dialogue while everyone is in the same place.
How do you plan to recognize World Sickle Cell Day this year?
