About Us

Our Mission

Sickle Cell Reproductive Health Education Directive (SC RED) advocates for high quality reproductive and maternal health care for individuals living with all types of sickle cell disease.

What we do

Our Vision

Our vision at the Sickle Cell Reproductive Health Education Directive is to empower individuals living with sickle cell disease to make informed decisions about their sexual, reproductive, and maternal health. We strive to create a world where individuals with sickle cell are equipped with the knowledge, support, and resources they need to make informed decisions about their sexual, reproductive, and maternal health and access high-quality care that meets their unique needs, Through education, advocacy, and collaboration with healthcare providers, policymakers, and community leaders, we aim to eliminate disparities and promote health equity.

More about SC RED

What We Do

We provide education on reproductive health concerns, establish standards for effective and high-quality reproductive health care across the life span, and advocate for policies and processes that will improve access to comprehensive reproductive health care. In everything that we do, we are motivated by how much we do not know and recognize that the work will continue to evolve.

What we do

Our History

Sickle Cell Reproductive Health Education Directive (SC RED) was conceptualized in 2020 and established as a 501c3 nonprofit on April 8th, 2021. Our co-founder and CEO, Teonna Woolford sought to create the organization because she felt defeated by fertility struggles after a bone marrow transplant. When researching and seeking resources for fertility preservation, she found very little information about fertility and sickle cell and no resources to help pay for the costly procedure.

Teonna reached out to Dr. Lydia Pecker, a pediatric hematologist, about starting an organization that could provide fertility preservation grants to sickle cell warriors undergoing curative therapies. Dr. Pecker, whose research areas include fertility and reproductive health of sickle cell patients, was excited to hear Teonna’s vision and agreed much more needed to be done to improve both policies and health care practices.

World-renowned hematologist Dr. Kim Smith-Whitley joined the cause after meeting Teonna at a conference where she presented on the reproductive health needs at different stages of life. Together, these three powerful women founded the Sickle Cell reproductive Health Education Directive. SC RED is the first and only sickle cell organization with a global mission to standardize, prioritize, and normalize reproductive health for individuals living with sickle cell disease.

EXPERIENCE EXCELLENCE

Our Directives

Awareness

We know that sickle cell disease is often overlooked, underserved, and underestimated.

Education

It is astonishing how much we do not know regarding sickle cell and reproductive health.

Advocacy

We are incredibly proud of the diversity and versatility of our team . We have doctors, researchers, caregivers

Advocacy

We are incredibly proud of the diversity and versatility of our team . We have doctors, researchers, caregivers

Support

We know that sickle cell disease is often overlooked, underserved, and underestimated.

Support

We know that sickle cell disease is often overlooked, underserved, and underestimated.

Research

It is astonishing how much we do not know regarding sickle cell and reproductive health.

Questions?

WHAT WE BELIEVE

Our Values

Reproductive Autonomy

Reproductive autonomy is having the power to decide and control contraceptive use, pregnancy, and childbearing.

Inclusivity

This organization prides itself on being all inclusive. No matter your race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, and or/ genotype, there is a place for you

This organization prides itself on being all inclusive. No matter your race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, and or/ genotype, there is a place for you.

Warrior Empowerment

SC RED aims to empower sickle cell warriors to prioritize their sexual and reproductive health without shame.

We know having these types of conversations can be very difficult, whether it's with your healthcare provider or your partner. Therefore, we will have guidance on how to talk to your partner and providers about reproductive topics such as pain with sex, priapism, and delayed puberty, just to name a few.

Warrior Empowerment

SC RED aims to empower sickle cell warriors to prioritize their sexual and reproductive health without shame.

Warrior and Family Engagement

Our best lessons come directly from individuals living with sickle cell disease and their families. We value hearing real life experiences.

We aim to create resources and initiatives based on insight and feedback from the community. We will have open conversations with the sickle cell community to ensure we are meeting their needs.

Warrior and Family Engagement

Our best lessons come directly from individuals living with sickle cell disease and their families. We value hearing real life experiences.

We aim to create resources and initiatives based on insight and feedback from the community. We will have open conversations with the sickle cell community to ensure we are meeting their needs.

Informed and Shared Decision Making

It is important that providers and warriors have open discussions about sexual and reproductive concerns.

These conversations lead to respectful care where patients are active participants.

Innovation and Collaboration

The Sickle Cell Reproductive Health Education Directive is the only organization to focus solely on reproductive health for individuals living with sickle cell disease

We recognize that our work in this space is ever evolving. We will work closely with various stakeholders to transform and set new precedent for reproductive life planning

Accessibility and Equity

Sickle cell disease is the poster child for health inequities and disparities. The general population and other rare disease

Communities have access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive life planning. why shouldn’t we have that same access? We aim to establish and customize existing protocols and guidelines specifically for individuals living with sickle cell disease.