Bye Sickle Cell Bicycle Day 2021

September is Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month

Let's get ready to ride!  Our inaugural 'Bye Sickle Cell Bicycle Day' is coming up fast. On September 18, 2021 join us for a day of biking in recognition and support of Sickle Cell  Disease Awareness Month. Whether you are an avid rider or a beginner, you're invited. This year's bicycle day will be a virtual event. You chose the when, where, and how you bike. Take your ride outside, inside, on a stationary bike, tricycle, or motorbike. Share your bicycle day pictures with us via email at Info@mauruadvocates.org or post on Facebook and tag us, @maruadvocates. Turn this event into a fun and healthy activity by riding with a partner or a team. The more people who participate, the more good we can do so, SPREAD THE WORD. 

Find us on Facebook and Instagram and share your story. We'd love to know why you are riding. Show us your bike and your gear too!  Remember to be safe. Wear protective riding equipment, as necessary, and only post your route on social media after the ride. When you post pictures of this event on social media include hashtags: #byesicklecell, #maruadvocates, #healthandwellness.

Registration is now open. Sign up early and as a team to save on registration fees. Register by September 1, 2021 to receive your commemorative T-shirt in time for the event.

Facts and Statistics

• In the United States between 70,000 - 100,000 people are diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease or carry the trait
• 1200 newborns in the DC/Maryland/Virginia area alone are diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease every year
• Although treatments can help manage crises, there  is lots of work to be done to discover a cure

Why We Ride

• Events like this provide the opportunity for us to raise awareness and share information about prevention, testing, and treatment.
• Forming partnerships with community health organizations gives us insight into the needs of people impacted by Sickle Cell Disease enabling us to develop beneficial programs.
• Engaging the public in events that incorporate fitness and  fun is an effective way to raise awareness and even more importantly, funds for education and research.
• Sickle Cell Disease impacts everyone. Although it has long been associated with people of African descent, it can be detected in many other races and ethnic groups. This is a disease that can be managed and with continued research and development, the level of care and treatment can be vastly improved. Your support helps make that possible.

Proceeds from this event will support the Howard University Center for Sickle Cell Disease. To make a direct donation to The Center, click the link below.  Under Billing address please check "Make this gift on behalf of your organization" and then enter MARU.  This is solely for tracking purposes.

DONATE HERE: Howard University Sickle Cell Center