Earlier this month, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) hosted the Cure Sickle Cell Walk & Family Fun Day, presented by West Pharmaceutical Services, a morning where over 1,000 participants walked, cheered and celebrated patients with sickle cell disease at Citizens Bank Park. The event, which included a ceremonial walk and fun activities for the entire family, aimed to raise funds and awareness for innovative sickle cell disease research and patient care. This year, a record-breaking $310,000 (and counting!) was raised to help CHOP sickle cell warriors. Since its inception four years ago, the event has generated more than $1 million to support CHOP’s Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center.
Funds from the event turns promising ideas into tomorrow’s discoveries, helping uncover innovative treatments for those with sickle cell disease. Examples include the 2026 Pilot Award grantees, whose work represents new and exciting approaches to sickle cell research:
- Laura Breda, PhD –Dr. Breda's research aims to better understand how gene therapy can be delivered more effectively to people living with sickle cell disease, helping pave the way for safer and more successful treatments.
- Eugene Khandros, MD, PhD – Dr. Khandros is developing new gene therapy approaches designed to address the root cause of sickle cell disease and move us closer to a lasting cure.
- Kemar Prussien, PhD – Dr. Prussien’s project focuses on developing a tool to better understand when and how young adults with sickle cell disease are prepared to transition from pediatric to adult healthcare, helping ensure they continue to receive the support and care they need.
CHOP’s Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center offers all the specialty services children with sickle cell disease need. Services include newborn screenings, transfusions, 24-hour access to a hematologist, pulmonary and cerebrovascular care, and psychosocial services. CHOP is also a Qualified Treatment Center offering the two FDA approved gene therapies for the treatment of sickle cell disease.
Learn more about the event by visiting chopsicklecellwalk.org and for more information about CHOP’s Sickle Cell Center, go to https://www.chop.edu/centers-programs/sickle-cell-center. Support the facility’s growth and renovation, with completion projected for late 2026.
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Earlier this month, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) hosted the Cure Sickle Cell Walk & Family Fun Day, presented by West Pharmaceutical Services, a morning where over 1,000 participants walked, cheered and celebrated patients with sickle cell disease at Citizens Bank Park. The event, which included a ceremonial walk and fun activities for the entire family, aimed to raise funds and awareness for innovative sickle cell disease research and patient care. This year, a record-breaking $310,000 (and counting!) was raised to help CHOP sickle cell warriors. Since its inception four years ago, the event has generated more than $1 million to support CHOP’s Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center.
Funds from the event turns promising ideas into tomorrow’s discoveries, helping uncover innovative treatments for those with sickle cell disease. Examples include the 2026 Pilot Award grantees, whose work represents new and exciting approaches to sickle cell research:
- Laura Breda, PhD –Dr. Breda's research aims to better understand how gene therapy can be delivered more effectively to people living with sickle cell disease, helping pave the way for safer and more successful treatments.
- Eugene Khandros, MD, PhD – Dr. Khandros is developing new gene therapy approaches designed to address the root cause of sickle cell disease and move us closer to a lasting cure.
- Kemar Prussien, PhD – Dr. Prussien’s project focuses on developing a tool to better understand when and how young adults with sickle cell disease are prepared to transition from pediatric to adult healthcare, helping ensure they continue to receive the support and care they need.
CHOP’s Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center offers all the specialty services children with sickle cell disease need. Services include newborn screenings, transfusions, 24-hour access to a hematologist, pulmonary and cerebrovascular care, and psychosocial services. CHOP is also a Qualified Treatment Center offering the two FDA approved gene therapies for the treatment of sickle cell disease.
Learn more about the event by visiting chopsicklecellwalk.org and for more information about CHOP’s Sickle Cell Center, go to https://www.chop.edu/centers-programs/sickle-cell-center. Support the facility’s growth and renovation, with completion projected for late 2026.
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Kaitlyn Dvorin
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Foundation