Sickle Cell Program
The Sickle Cell Program has two key roles. The first role focuses on providing specialized medical services for adults diagnosed with sickle cell disease filling a gap in the system of care for this population. In the second function, as a component of several contracts with community-based organizations, the program provides general population education and counseling plus supplies a source for sickle cell genetic testing.
In order to be eligible for the specialized medical services from the Sickle Cell Program persons in South Carolina must be a legal resident, over the age of 21 (treatment for children is available from Children’s Rehabilitative Services Program), meet program financial guidelines, and have a sickle cell disease. The program covers sickle cell related outpatient treatment including physician services, transfusions, outpatient hospitalizations, medications, and supportive services from health department nurses, nutritionists, and social workers. Persons may apply for coverage from the Sickle Cell Program at the local health department or a DHEC Regional office for CSHCN/CRS.
In addition to the coverage for medical treatment, four Sickle Cell Program partners provide education to the public about sickle cell disorders, screening and genetic testing to determine if a person has a sickle cell hemoglobin disorder, plus counseling and genetic information to those found with positive results. The four community based organizations are COBRA Sickle Cell Program in Charleston; J. R. Clark Sickle Cell Foundation in Columbia; L. D. Barksdale Sickle Cell Foundation in Spartanburg; and the Orangeburg Area Sickle Cell Foundation in Orangeburg. These four community-based organizations also sponsor support groups, provide outreach services, provide limited financial assistance to families in distress, and offer other psychosocial supports to families affected by sickle cell disease.
Sickle Cell Community Organizations in South Carolina
COBRA Sickle Cell Program
Rev. Albertha Cook
Executive Director
Post Office Box 71473
Charleston, SC 29415
(843) 225-4869
1-800-354-4704
Fax (843) 723-5986
James R. Clark Memorial Sickle Cell Foundation
Melodie Deselette
Executive Director
P.O. Box 4784
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 765-9916
1-800-506-1273
Fax (803) 799-6471
Louvenia Barksdale Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation
Rosalind Brown
Chief Executive Officer
P.O. Box 191
Spartanburg, SC 29301
(864) 582-9420
Fax (864) 587-8224
Orangeburg Area Sickle Cell Foundation
Dr. William Hickson
Director
P.O. Box 892
Orangeburg, SC 29116
(803) 534-1716
Fax (803) 531-2422