WASHINGTON - The U.S. Senate unanimously passed Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Cory Booker's (D-N.J.) resolution designating September 2026 as Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month.

"Raising awareness about sickle cell anemia means working toward a future where Americans living with the disease can lead healthier lives with fewer limitations. The Senate's unanimous passage of this resolution reinforces our commitment to making treatment and care more accessible, affordable, and attainable," said Sen. Scott. "New gene therapies should give us all hope, but we still have significant hurdles to overcome to ensure every American battling SCD has the opportunity to live out their American Dream."

The resolution was cosponsored by Sens. Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Todd Young (R-Ind.).

Read the full text of the resolution here.

Background:

Sen. Scott has long worked to improve access to treatment and care for Americans living with sickle cell anemia.

Earlier this year, Sens. Scott and Booker's Sickle Cell Disease and Other Heritable Blood Disorders Research, Surveillance, Prevention, and Treatment Act of 2025 was signed into law as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026.

Additionally, Sen. Scott introduced the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Act of 2026, which would reauthorize the National Marrow Donor Program and National Cord Blood Inventory through 2031. These programs help patients with diseases, including sickle cell anemia, access bone marrow and cord blood transplants.

In 2025, Sens. Scott and Booker reintroduced the Sickle Cell Disease Comprehensive Care Act, which would allow state Medicaid programs to provide comprehensive, coordinated care to patients with sickle cell anemia through a health home model.

###