The Florence Neal Cooper Smith 
Sickle Cell Initiative 

The Sickle Cell Initiative is a program of the Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Foundation whose ultimate goal is to raise money for aggressive, cutting edge research to eventually lead to a cure for sickle cell disease.

Understanding Sickle Cell Anemia
Who Is Florence Neal Cooper Smith?
In Search Of A Cure
Good-Will Ambassador, Amanda Fitzgerald
Sickle Cell Research At Work
Funding Committee For The Sickle Cell Initiative

Understanding Sickle Cell Anemia

Sickle cell anemia is a chronic, incurable, inherited blood disorder that affects red blood cells. Sufferers of sickle cell anemia experience periodic, often unexpected, episodes of intense pain.

Sickle cell anemia affects the hemoglobin, a component of the red blood cells that carries oxygen.  The main hemoglobin in normal red blood cells is hemoglobin “A.”  Persons with sickle cell make a form of hemoglobin “A” called hemoglobin “S” (“S” stands for sickle).  The hemoglobin molecules in each red blood cell carry oxygen from the lungs to the body organs and tissues and bring back carbon dioxide to the lungs. 

Unlike normal red blood cells, which last about 120 days in the bloodstream, sickled red cells die after only 10 to 20 days.  Because they cannot be replaced fast enough, the blood is chronically short of red blood cells, a condition called anemia.  

Sickle cell anemia affects primarily those of African American, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and Greek descent.  The disease is inherited from parents in much the same ay as blood type, hair color and texture, eye color and other physical traits.  

Who Is Florence Neal Cooper Smith?

The Florence Neal Cooper Smith Sickle Cell Initiative is the first such initiative to be named for an African American woman in the United States.   Florence Neal Cooper Smith is a pioneer of Sickle Cell awareness, both regionally and nationally.  A graduate of Virginia Union University, Smith completed graduate studies Pathology at the Medical College of Virginia Campus of Virginia Commonwealth (MCV/VCU).

Always in search of knowledge, Smith’s curiosity about sickle cell anemia began as a child when she came upon the disease in a medical journal.  Later, that curiosity turned into genuine interest as the subject of sickle cell continued to arise throughout her college and professional careers.

In 1969, Smith organized Richmond’s first city wide survey with the help of local civic, social and community organizations to determine the extent of  sickle cell awareness in the surrounding localities.

In 1972, with the allotment of federal dollars for sickle cell programs, the lure of sickle cell led Smith and colleague, Dr. Robert Scott, to found the innovative Virginia Sickle Cell Anemia Awareness Program at MCV.  This ambition campaign sought to educate and inform the general public about sickle cell anemia.  

Florence Neal Cooper Smith developed a comprehensive program for sickle cell screening, counseling, research and public education at a time when there was little public knowledge about sickle cell and there were no services in place to address concerns and issues surrounding the disease.

In Search Of A Cure

• 1 in 400 African American babies are born each year with sickle cell
• 85% of children with full blown sickle cell disease and 95% of those with a less serious variation live into adulthood (18 years and older)
• Currently, only about 50% of sickle cell patients live beyond 50 years of age
• Of the 80,000 Americans with Sickle Cell, 66,000 are African-Americans
• In the United States, 8% of African Americans carry the sickle cell trait

Goodwill Ambassador, Amanda Fitzgerald

For approximately half of Amanda’s life, she has required blood transfusions to prevent her from having another stroke---she’s already experienced one.   Without the transfusions, her doctors fear her risk of another stroke is extremely high.

At age 5, Amanda suffered a stroke.  At age 7, she had a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), a transient stroke that occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is briefly interrupted.  

On Thursday, June 13, 2002, a group of people gathered to celebrate the life of young Amanda Fitzgerald, a bright and beautiful 10-year-old girl with sickle cell disease.  

Sickle Cell Research At Work

Florence Neal Cooper Smith believes that aggressive outreach efforts along with education are critical components in understanding sickle cell disease and its effects.  Witnessing those effects first hand, advocate for maintaining the quality of life for sickle cell sufferers.  Education, she stresses, is the key to eradicate the fears and myths still associated with the disease.

The programs in place at MCV to help sickle cell patients are a result of the efforts of Florence Neal Cooper Smith.  One such family who is benefiting from those is the Fitzgerald family.  Their oldest daughter, Amanda, an honor student was diagnosed with sickle cell at the age of three.  Amanda’s disease requires constant monitoring and daily active involvement in her care.

The Fitzgerald Family  (left to right) Amelia, LaVerne, Amanda & Charles

Funding Committee For The Sickle Cell Initiative

Mr. Terone Green  Chair	Dr. Samuel Hunter
Mrs. Florence Neal Cooper Smith  Honorary Co-Chair	Rev. Lydia Jiggetts
Mr. Clarence L. Townes, Jr.  Honorary Co-Chair	Dr. Lurla Joseph
Ms. Tammy Anderson	Mr.  Jimmy L. Powell Mrs. Minni B. Powell
Dr. Joseph W. Boatwright, III	Ms. Jene Radcliffe-Shipman
Mr. Jeff Butler,	Dr. Frank Royal
Dr. Harry S. Crawford, Jr.	Dr. Robert B. Scott
Dr. George Cypress	Dr. Wally Smith
Rev. & Mrs. Lawrence A. Davies	Dr. Lornel G. Tompkins
Dr. Vonita W. Foster	Mrs. Sharon Larkins-Pederson  MCV Foundation Liaison
Ms. Debra Gardner	Mr. Lawrence Cooper

Contact Information:  
For more information about how you can help with this initiative, please contact Sharon Larkins-Pederson, MCV Foundation Liaison, at (804) 828-4599 or (800) 628-7799.

MCV Foundation
P.O. Box 980234
Richmond, Virginia 23298-0234
Phone:  (804) 828-4599
Fax:  (804) 828-8001

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