Sinai Hospital Receives Gift to Support Fight Against Sickle Cell Anemia

Baltimore, MD - Sinai Hospital of Baltimore has established a permanent endowment fund to support research, education and community outreach regarding sickle cell anemia. The William E. Proudford Sickle Cell Fund at Sinai was made possible thanks to a five-year, $100,000 pledge from the William E. Proudford Sickle Cell Fund, Inc.

The William E. Proudford Sickle Cell Fund at Sinai was created with three main goals. The first is to support education programs for the health care professionals at Sinai who work with sickle cell anemia patients and their families. The second is to finance sickle cell anemia research at the hospital, specifically the work being done by Jason Fixler, a pediatric hematologist and oncologist. The third is to sponsor community education programs, emphasizing outreach to minority and economically disadvantaged individuals and families.

In addition to Sinai Hospital's dedication to making a difference in the lives of patients suffering with sickle cell, the hospital's family-centered approach to the care of all children with many illnesses, traumas and chronic conditions combines the latest medical advances and high-tech treatments with a caring environment and individualized treatment plans.

The mission of the William E. Proudford Sickle Cell Fund, Inc. is to support sickle cell awareness, education, state-of-the art-treatment and research to bring hope to families who are coping with this disease.

This philanthropic legacy honors William E. Proudford, who lived with chronic physical challenges, including sickle cell, but refused to let any of them stop him from serving his country, raising a loving family and learning.

More people have sickle cell anemia in the United States than any other genetic blood disorder.

Normally, blood cells are round and fluid. However, with sickle cell, the blood cells can become hard and misshapen, which, in turn, slows blood flow and can cause severe pain and lead to other physical challenges. African Americans, Latinos, Asiatic Indians, Italians and Greeks are more likely than other groups to have sickle cell.

Sinai Hospital is part of LifeBridge Health, one of the largest, most comprehensive providers of health services in Maryland. LifeBridge Health also includes Northwest Hospital, Carroll Hospital, Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital, and related subsidiaries and affiliates.

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