Congressman Cohen Announces a Sickle Cell Disease Research Grant to St. Jude

WASHINGTON - Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today announced that Dr. Shannon L. McKinney-Freeman of the Hematology Department at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital will receive a grant of $673,150 for research on stem cell dysfunction in sickle cell disease from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. These types of stem cells - found in every person - give rise to all other types of blood cells. Part of the project's goals are to develop new treatments for sickle cell disease.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

"Sickle cell disease is a serious and debilitating illness for a significant number of African Americans in the Mid-South, so I am always pleased to see investments in understanding and treating it. I commend Dr. McKinney-Freeman and St. Jude for undertaking this life-saving work, and wish them every success."

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