Sickle-cell Anemia Deserves Attention
Source: Courtesy of Fredericksburg.com
Date published: 3/9/2010
Sickle-cell anemia deserves attention
As parents of and advocates for those who suffer the debilitating, devastating effects of sickle-cell anemia, we were encouraged by the March 3 editorial ["Striking a cord"].
In the current national health care debate, with its drama and divisiveness, it was refreshing to see the cooperative efforts of those in our state legislature addressing the long-neglected needs for relief for the more than 70,000 minorities (predominantly African-Americans) nationwide who suffer from this disease.
We thank Del. Bob Marshall for introducing the bill to promote education for the healing potential of umbilical-cord blood.
Our continued gratitude goes to Sen. Edd Houck in his role as chairman of the Senate Committee on Education and Health for his consistent, outstanding commitment to the cause of sickle-cell diseases, and our congratulations go to the Davis family for their courage and persistence.
All have helped to make this disease and its ramifications more visible and its ultimate cure possible.
Lawrence A. Davies and Janice P. Davies
Fredericksburg
The writers are co-presidents, Fredericksburg Area Sickle Cell Association, Inc.
