Booker, Van Hollen, Davis Introduce Bicameral Resolution Recognizing World Sickle Cell Awareness Day

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) introduced a bicameral resolution designating June 19, 2026, as World Sickle Cell Awareness Day, reaffirming the nation's commitment to expanding research, strengthening early detection, and ensuring access to effective treatments that move us closer to a cure. U.S. Representative Danny Davis (D-IL-7) introduced companion legislation in the House.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a rare, inherited blood disorder that causes red blood cells to become rigid and misshapen, restricting blood flow and oxygen delivery throughout the body. In the United States, SCD affects approximately 100,000 people - including 1 in every 365 African-American births and 1 in every 16,300 Hispanic-American births. Globally, millions live with the disease, especially individuals of genetic descent from countries in sub-Saharan Africa, South and Central America, the Caribbean, South Asia, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean. In low-resource countries, more than 90 percent of children diagnosed with SCD do not survive to adulthood. Despite being the most common inherited blood disorder in the U.S., research funding, treatment access, and public awareness continue to lag behind other chronic illnesses.

"For generations, people with sickle cell disease have faced significant health challenges while often being overlooked by our health care system," said Senator Booker. "As a disease that disproportionately affects people of African descent, sickle cell disease demands greater attention, investment, and action. We must do more. This resolution recognizes the resilience of those living with sickle cell disease and underscores our responsibility to ensure every patient has access to high-quality, comprehensive care."

"Sickle cell disease has claimed the lives of far too many people, including my beloved former staff member, John Amara. With this resolution, we recognize all those impacted by this terrible disease and reinforce our commitment to building a better future for today's sickle cell warriors and their families. We will not stop fighting to expand access to quality care, advance lifesaving research and treatments, and ultimately make sickle cell disease a thing of the past," said Senator Van Hollen.

"I'm proud to join my colleagues in recognizing June 19th as World Sickle Cell Awareness Day. Considering the health difficulties that sickle cell disease creates for millions of individuals both in the United States and globally, we need to invest more resources in improving awareness, comprehensive care, better treatments, and new cures that are accessible for those sickle cell warriors suffering from this dreadful disease," said Representative Davis.

Read the full text of the resolution here.