Versiti - Versiti Launches "Stop Sickle Cell" Digital Platform to Bridge Research and Community Care

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Versiti Launches "Stop Sickle Cell" Digital Platform to Bridge Research and Community Care

Milwaukee — October 06, 2025
 

During National Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month in September, Versiti and the Versiti Blood Research Institute (VBRI) unveiled "Stop Sickle Cell" (stopsicklecell.org), a digital platform that translates the realities of sickle cell disease into accessible resources for patients, families, and healthcare providers navigating sickle cell disease. 

Our mission is clear: to reduce the number of people affected by sickle cell disease to zero through translational research, community education, and life-saving blood donations. 

From Discovery to Impact

The platform connects human need to scientific advancement through patient narratives, including that of sickle cell warrior James Griffin's journey; evidence-based resources on disease management and emerging therapies; myth-busting information that confronts stigma around pain management; and clear explanations of how VBRI investigators, such as Dr. Phillip Doerfler, are advancing treatments to keep patients thriving. 

Addressing an Urgent Need

With sickle cell disease affecting approximately 1 in 400 Black Americans, the platform addresses a critical gap: only 4% of current donors carry the Ro blood type, while the average adult SCD patient requires over 60 units annually. 

We invite you to explore stopsicklecell.org and join us in transforming awareness into action—because every breakthrough, every unit donated, and every myth dispelled brings us closer to a future where sickle cell disease no longer limits human potential. 

 
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