St. Croix residents marched the streets of Christiansted from Basin Triangle to the pavilion at the waterfront last week for World Sickle Cell Day, recognized this year on June 19. Prayers, poems, testimonies, remarks and educational information about the genetic disorder were shared with those present. Governor Kenneth Mapp shared his personal story dealing with sickle cell.
“I made up my mind at 11 years of age I was not going to live with sickle cell – sickle cell had to live with me,” Mr. Mapp said. “You have to manage yourself, know yourself, know your physical conditions and be able to do the things that you know you must do that will give you a long quality of life.”
The candlelight march and rally was organized by the Virgin Islands Sickle Cell Foundation Parent Support Group to celebrate and bring sickle cell awareness to the community at large.
Organizer Germaine Powell was ecstatic about the amount of support the event garnered. Marchers included the governor, St. Croix Administrator Stephanie Williams, various government officials, sicklers and other supporters.
“Stand with our brothers and sisters all around the world to bring awareness to World Sickle Cell Day. We are happy to see each and every one of you tonight,” Powell said.
For more information, contact the Administrator’s Office at 778‐1709 or 778‐0057.
Tags: governor kenneth mapp, sickle cell, us virgin islands
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