When Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex see a need, they step forward to help raise money, awareness, or lend a helping hand. Following their example that “Service is Universal”, the Sussex Squad has chosen to host a fundraising event in support of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) research.

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a group of inherited red blood cell disorders. Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, a protein that carries oxygen. Healthy red blood cells are round, and they move through small blood vessels to carry oxygen to all parts of the body. In someone who has SCD, the hemoglobin is abnormal, which causes the red blood cells to become hard and sticky, and look like a C-shaped farm tool called a “sickle.” The sickle cells die early, which causes a constant shortage of red blood cells. Also, when they travel through small blood vessels, they get stuck and clog the blood flow. This can cause pain and other serious health problems such as infection, acute chest syndrome, and stroke.

It is estimated that Sickle Cell Disease (SCD):

• affects approximately 100,000 Americans
• occurs among about 1 out of every 365 Black or African-American births
• occurs among about 1 out of every 16,300 Hispanic-American births.
• 1 in 13 Black or African-American babies are born with sickle cell trait (SCT)
• currently effects 12,500-15,000 people in the United Kingdom.

INFORMATIONAL VIDEO – To learn more about Sickle Cell Disease, please click the following link to watch an informational video:

MAKE A DONATION – Every two seconds, someone in America needs blood. Help us celebrate life by ensuring that patients in need get lifesaving blood. Please make and keep an appointment to give blood to the American Red Cross. It’s easy to find an appointment that’s near to you, and every donation can help save up to three lives. Please use the REFERRAL CODE ‘SSF’ when making your blood donations.

ASSOCIATED SUSSEX SQUAD FUNDRAISERS

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (US) — https://fundraising.stjude.org/site/TR/DIY/DIY?px=7581417&pg=personal&fr_id=133399

National Health Service (NHS) campaign (UK) — https://bit.ly/3PWe0Yx

NOTICE

The Sussex Squad regularly engages in fundraising activities in support of worthy causes. We organize, strategize, and take action to promote, support, and direct people to worthy charities. All financial contributions go directly to the institutions we support. THE SUSSEX SQUAD NEVER RECEIVES FINANCIAL DONATIONS, OR COMPENSATION FOR ITS FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES. In the words of Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, “Together, we can choose to put compassion in action. We invite you to join us as we work to build a better world, one act of compassion at a time.”

Thanks for your support.