Foundation for Research and Education in Sickle Cell Disease

The Foundation for Research and Education in Sickle Cell Disease (FSCDR) is a United States nonprofit organization focused exclusively on sickle cell disease. Founded in 2012 in Hollywood, Florida, it describes itself as the first center in the nation dedicated solely to sickle cell disease. Its mission is to "tirelessly treat, research, educate, support, and respect all individuals living with sickle cell disease," with the stated goal of creating a future in which sickle cell disease is a livable, non-threatening condition. FSCDR operates as both a research and healthcare organization. It provides direct patient care, conducts and promotes research into treatments and potential cures, trains healthcare providers through workforce education programs, and builds community support for people living with the disease, whom it calls Sickle Cell Warriors. The foundation has grown into a network of 15 Sickle Cell Disease Centers of Excellence across Florida and hosts an annual symposium that brings together patients and leading researchers from around the world. The organization frames its work around the underfunding and limited understanding of sickle cell disease in the medical field. It notes that while the genetic cause of the disease was discovered in 1910, research on treatments and cures has been underfunded, and that only about one in five physicians feel comfortable treating sickle cell disease. FSCDR positions itself as a force for changing that reality through research, compassionate care, education, and advocacy. As a nonprofit foundation, FSCDR is not a publicly traded company and does not sell commercial products. Its activities are supported through donations and partnerships, and it accepts new patients at its care centers. Its public-facing work includes patient care, clinical research, provider education, community building, and an annual symposium.

The Foundation for Research and Education in Sickle Cell Disease (FSCDR) was founded in 2012 in Hollywood, Florida. According to its own account, it was the first center in the United States dedicated exclusively to sickle cell disease. From its founding, FSCDR combined direct patient care with research and education, aiming to address the underfunding and limited medical understanding of sickle cell disease. Over the following years, FSCDR expanded its reach across Florida, growing into a network of 15 Sickle Cell Disease Centers of Excellence. It also developed workforce education programs that train healthcare providers across the nation, and it established an annual symposium that unites patients and leading researchers from around the world. The foundation describes its greatest achievement not in statistics but in the lived experience of patients who now have less pain, fewer hospitalizations, faster recovery, and more hope. It continues to pursue a future where sickle cell disease is a livable, non-threatening condition.

• 2012

  Founded in Hollywood, Florida, as the first center in the nation dedicated exclusively to sickle cell disease.

• Grew into a network of 15 Sickle Cell Disease Centers of Excellence across Florida.

• Established an annual symposium uniting patients and leading researchers from around the world.

A nonprofit foundation and care network dedicated exclusively to sickle cell disease, combining research, healthcare, education, and community support.

• Patient care and treatment

  Direct medical care for individuals living with sickle cell disease, including management of pain crises.

• Clinical research

  Research into treatments and potential cures for sickle cell disease.

• Workforce education programs

  Training for healthcare providers across the nation on sickle cell disease care.

• Annual symposium

  An event uniting Sickle Cell Warriors and leading researchers from around the world.

1. 1Sickle Cell Disease Research | Healthcare Providers | FSCDRfscdr.org
2. 2About Us | Sickle Cell Research & Care | FSCDRfscdr.org
3. 3Foundation for Research and Education in Sickle Cell Diseasewikidata.org