For Immediate Release

New Jersey Urban Mayors Association (NJUMA) Commends Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson and Senator Shirley K. Turner upon Introduction of Proposed Legislation to Create a Sickle Cell Center Pilot Program in Six NJUMA Municipalities   

Newark, NJ — June 6, 2022 — Mayor Ras J. Baraka of the City of Newark, President and Chair of the New Jersey Urban Mayors Association (NJUMA); Mayor Adrian O. Mapp of the City of Plainfield, Vice President of NJUMA; Mayor W. Reed Gusciora, Central NJ Vice President of NJUMA; Mayor Victor G. Carstarphen of the City of Camden; Mayor André Sayegh of the City of Paterson; Mayor Steve Fulop of the City of Jersey City issued a joint commendation of Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson, Constituent Outreach Chair, and Senator Shirley K. Turner, both representing the Fifteenth District in the New Jersey Legislature, upon the introduction of legislation that would create a $10.2-million sickle-cell center pilot program housed at federally-qualified healthcare centers (FQHCs) in Newark, Plainfield, Trenton, Camden, Jersey City, and Paterson.

Sickle-cell disease (SCD) is a group of the most-commonly-inherited blood disorders among — and affects 1 in 365 — Black people in the United States. Individuals with SCD have hard, sticky, sickle-shaped red blood cells that die prematurely and can clog the flow of blood throughout the body, which may induce infection; acute chest syndrome, the primary cause of death and secondary cause of hospitalization among people with SCD; and stroke. Further, people with sickle cell trait (SCT) — most often persons of African descent, and also individuals with “Caribbean, Arab, East Indian, and Mediterranean lineage” — who take part in extremely strenuous physical activity in the course of, for example, college athletics, are at risk of exertional collapse and even sudden death. At the time of writing, the only known cure with the greatest for SCD is a transplant of bone marrow or stem cells from a sibling, but such a transplant poses a substantial risk and may cause “serious effects, including death.”

The pilot program sponsored by Assemblywoman Reynolds-Jackson would create organized systems of care for people with SCD at FQHCs, at which patients would would have access to “comprehensive treatment center[s]” that would “provide coordinated, comprehensive, team-based medical, behavioral health, mental health, social support, and monitoring services to adults with” SCD and SCT.”

“It is imperative that we thoroughly understand diagnosis, the progression and necessary treatments for individuals in Newark living with sickle cell disease,” said Mayor Baraka. “Through this pilot program and by working with leaders in the field we have the potential to further advance our abilities and improve outcomes for people undergoing treatment.”

“A program such as the proposed Sickle Cell Center Pilot program could be life changing for many who live with this disease in Plainfield,” said Mayor Mapp. We commend Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson and Senator Shirley K. Turner for recognizing the need in our communities and introducing this legislation. At the end of the day, positively influencing health outcomes results in a better overall quality of life for everyone in our municipality and that is what is deserved.”

“When dealing with sickle-cell disease in the City of Trenton, it is crucial that we are able to acknowledge and comprehend the disease itself, as well as its progression and essential therapies,” said Mayor Gusciora. “Expanding our capabilities through this pilot program and working with leaders in the field is the first step towards improving the lives and outcomes of those living with the disease in Trenton and throughout the state.”

“I commend my colleagues at the New Jersey Urban Mayors Association for supporting this legislation and thank Assemblywoman Reynolds-Jackson for her efforts to expand services relating to Sickle-cell disease,” said Mayor Carstarphen.  “It is so important that we address this disorder which impacts so many living in Camden and other communities of color across New Jersey.  This pilot program will provide a renewed hope to those in need of specialized care and moreover offer valuable resources to combat this terrible disease.”

“As Mayor of the state’s most diverse city, it is critical to effectively address the complex health issues that Paterson residents face,” said Mayor Sayegh. I commend Senator Turner, Assemblywoman Reynolds-Jackson, Assemblyman Conaway, and Assemblyman Mukherji for introducing legislation to provide funding and resources to better understand, monitor, and treat sickle-cell disease. I look forward to the future implementation of the pilot program and its impact locally and statewide.”

Press Contact:

Tenisha Malcolm

Director of Urban Mayors Policy Center

John S. Watson Institute for Urban Policy and Research

Kean University

njuma@kean.edu