Fifth Annual Sickle Cell Caregiver Summit to Focus on Mental Wellness and Advocacy

The Sickle Cell Community Consortium (SC3), in collaboration with Cleverly Changing, LLC, The B Strong Group, and Discovering Moorer2Life, will host the Fifth Annual Sickle Cell Caregiver Summit virtually from November 13–16, 2025. This year's theme, "The Heart of Caregiving: Balancing Mental Wellness, Advocacy, and Legacy," highlights the critical role caregivers play in supporting individuals with sickle cell disease while maintaining their own well-being. The summit represents one of the largest caregiver-led conferences in the sickle cell community and continues to grow with support from Title Sponsor Vertex Pharmaceuticals and Platinum Plus Sponsor Pfizer Pharmaceuticals.

Through their sponsorship and additional supporters, the event amplifies caregiver voices and ensures their experiences remain central to national conversations about sickle cell disease. Elle Cole, founder of Cleverly Changing, LLC, emphasized the importance of the gathering, stating, "This is more than a conference—it's a lifeline. Each session is designed by caregivers for caregivers, creating a safe space to learn, connect, and heal together." This caregiver-centered approach distinguishes the summit as a unique resource within the broader healthcare landscape.

Programming includes daily mental health and wellness sessions that provide practical tools for emotional resilience and spiritual renewal. The summit also features family-centered programming with tailored discussions for parents, siblings, spouses, and extended family members who share caregiving responsibilities. Additional highlights include interactive games, prizes, and an exclusive screening of an upcoming sickle cell docuseries by acclaimed filmmaker Janks Morton, offering both educational and recreational opportunities for participants.

The Sickle Cell Community Consortium has served as a national leader for over a decade in bridging the gap between research and real-life patient experiences. The caregiver summit continues this legacy by connecting communities, advancing advocacy efforts, and promoting mental wellness within families living with sickle cell disease. Registration for the virtual event is available at https://scdcaregivers.org. The continued growth and corporate support for this initiative demonstrate increasing recognition of caregivers' essential role in chronic disease management and the importance of addressing their unique challenges.