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Sickle Cell Awareness Month St. Jude & Kelly Price

ByMimiCuteLips

Hey Cuties,

I attended a super dope event last week that I’ve been waiting to share with you. Bubbling over with excitement a bit, if you follow my Instagram then you know what I’m talking about. Your St. Jude Cutie is back again and this time, we are talking about sickle cell. September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month.  Do you know anything about sickle cell? Do you know someone who is battling the disease?

Before I get to the fun let me school you a bit. Sickle cell disease is a group of blood disorders that prevent the regular flow of blood in the body because of the effect on the hemoglobin in red blood cells. That is a bit medical but this is what is really going on.  The Hemoglobin S forms hard fibers inside the red cells sometimes and causes them to reshape into sickle (banana) shape. The banana shaped red blood cells cannot move through blood vessels easily and sometimes are blocked from delivering oxygen to some body tissues.
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Te Espi, The Style Medic & Mi {Photo Credit: St. Jude}
 This was an after work event so I wanted to play it safe and be comfy. I wasn’t sure what others would wear. So I went for this Chevron dress from Forever21 and my flat J. Crew oxfords.
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Music

This man kept the party going all night long. He was good too, I was totally singing along to everything he played.

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Ice Sculpture and Shrimp

This event was to raise awareness for St. Jude, childhood cancer, and sickle cell disease, in addition to recognizing the Pan-Hellenic Council Organizations.

The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) is a collaborative organization of nine historically African American, international Greek lettered fraternities and sororities. The nine NPHC organizations are affectionately known as the “Divine Nine“.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

Fun Fact: Paul Williams was an African-American architect and a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. He designed the original star-shaped hospital building for St. Jude. St. Jude became the first fully integrated children’s hospital in the South (Memphis, TN) on February 4, 1962. Williams donated his design to St. Jude.

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St. Jude branding

I’m a sucker for good branding and this St. Jude logo beaming down on the floor was a really nice touch.

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L to R: Tracy Martin & Wilfred Busby {Photo Credit: St. Jude}

Tracy Martin is the father of Trayvon Martin; the world met him after his son was murdered by George Zimmerman in Florida on February 26, 2012. To the right of him is St. Jude/ALSAC Vice President, Call Centers Wilfred Busby.

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Mi & D’Avalon

Meet my new friend D’Avalon, at just one week old he was diagnosed with sickle cell disease.  He would end up at the hospital on a monthly basis for a week at a time and had to receive blood transfusions.  At age 4 he was referred to St. Jude by his doctors.  D’ Avalon is now 18-year-olds and starts his first semester of college this fall.

“I came to St. Jude because of something negative, but so much positive has come from it. St. Jude is more than a hospital. It’s a place to grow up.” D’Avalon, age 18

Fun Fact: St. Jude is a national leader in the treatment of sickle cell disease. Sickle cell affects 1 in 365 African-Americans and some people of Hispanic, Mediterranean and Native American descent. The St. Jude sickle cell program is one of the largest in the nation.

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D’Avalon, Kelly Price & Wilfred Busby

Kelly Price says, “I’m a writer, first…” she writes and sings from her soul. “Music saved my life,” she says. “Writing has been like therapy; it’s the most incredible gift.” I agree 100% she sings her face off every single time she opens her mouth. Also known as the Queen of R&B.

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Interviewing Kelly Price for St. Jude {Photo Credit: St. Jude}

The photographer caught a really dope shot of us during my interview. Click below to hear the amazing things Kelly Price is doing with St. Jude.

Stay tuned for more… Support St. Jude HERE. More about Kelly Price HERE. 

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Kelly Retweeted me!

HOW CAN YOU HELP? DONATE YOUR MONEY AND OR YOUR BLOOD!

 

 

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Your St. Jude Cutie

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Did you learn something new about St. Jude of Sickle Cell? Chat with me in the comment below or FB, IG or Twitter.

mimicutelips

Mimi Robinson is the Lifestyle Media Correspondent and editor behind MimiCuteLips®. She is a wife, a mother of two and a Media Correspondent in the Washington, DC area. She is quite possibly the dopest person you know. You can find her working media at your favorite events, traveling and trying out new adventures, working on a dope DIY project, or recording a podcast.

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63 Comments

  1. I didn’t know September was sickle cell awareness month. Having been a blood donor for the past 20 years I know that the best way an individual can help fight sickle cell is to donate blood. Donations work better when people have similar cultural and ethnic backgrounds, and with the high indidence of sickle in the black community we need more donors of color. Give today. I. Save. Lives.

  2. I have the trait, so can’t donate blood. I have a niece who is the hospital more often than not. It’s a dreadful disease and it’s so cool that St. Jude’s is around to help. Let’s hope people get out there and donate blood. That’s one way to help :-). That shrimp looked awesome , and don’t you look hot in your dress! 😉

  4. What an incredible event! I’m so glad you had a great time while bringing awareness to such an important cause. BTW, you looks fabulous, too! I love that dress.

  5. Looks like a fabulous event. Now that I’ve officially been in Dallas for a year, I am giving myself no more time for excuses as to why I don’t give back to the city more. I recently rejoined Urban League and am actively seeking a graduate chapter to be a member of. Great job.

  7. I did learn something new about sickle cell. I’ve always heard the term and knew a little bit about it, but I now know a whole lot more. What a great event to raise awareness!

  8. Such a great cause! My daughters friend was diagnosed with cancer last year. She was only 14. She just got to ring the bell after her final treatment and is currently cancer free. She’s excited for that, and of course, her hair growing back in :). Thanks for sharing!

  9. I learned a lot about sickle cell anemia. I knew very little about it! Saint Jude is such a wonderful place for parents and children that are sick. That is the one place that I know I will always want to donate to.

  11. St Judes does so many good things for families. They help so many people. I have to say I know nothing about Sickle-cell. I learn something new all the time.

  12. I know that St Jude does amazing work with children all over for so many different illnesses. I didn’t know exactly what sickle cell was but now I do. What a great event and organization.

  14. It is so great to spread awareness of this, I am sure few know much about it and it’s wonderful that we can use our blogging platforms for good!

  16. I have a friend I went to college with who has sickle disease and I have been witness to the pain it cause but also the courageous fight she puts on daily to have a normal life. Its has not stopped her for going after her dreams and every day I am inspired by her.

  17. So cool that you had the opportunity to interview Kelly Price, she seemed really down to earth. Shout to the divine 9 #zphib. Thank for explaining about Sickle Cell, always heard about but didn’t what the medical term was. Proud that the young man is on his way to college.

    1. Tiffany she was so down to earth. I love meeting celebs like that. Ha, I love your shout out.
      Girl I didn’t get the medical terms either which is why I had to break it down. Very proud.

  19. I had no idea that it was sickle cell awareness month. It is such an overlooked disease! My son in law works at a hospital so he knows several people with it.

  21. Awesome recap, and what a great cause! The pictures and your captions definitely made me feel like I was there. Great interview with Kelly as well.

  24. It is so important to educate ourselves about how to help issues out there! While I have heard of sickle cell since I have dealt with anemia. I am not familiar with the differences nor know anyone with this type. So glad you are able to be a part of this!

  26. Wow, I had no idea that September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month, I don’t know anyone personally that has it, so I never fully understood what it was. I’m glad to see D’Avalon starting college as well.

  27. St Jude is really, truly amazing. I’ll be honest I didn’t know much about Sickle Cell. So I read this, then googled a little bit. Thanks for bringing my attention to this cause.

  28. Sickle Cell is truly a terrible disease! I take care of patients with it and they just break my heart. Thank you for helping to raise awareness about it on your blog!!

  31. ST. Jude is an amazing institution. They do such great work for children. I am a nurse and have taken care of many sickle cell patients during exacerbation of their disease. It is heart breaking seeing someone suffer through the pain.

  32. Pingback: St. Jude Call to Service + Raheem Devaughn Interview - MimiCuteLips

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