In celebration of Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month in September, JAYJ Foundation hosted an Educational Luncheon "UNDERSTANDING SICKLE CELL ANEMIA DISEASE", presented by PFizer, last Saturday, August 31st at the West Palm Beach Marriott. Thank you to all those who attended this important and significant educational event. We also want to thank our JAYJ Champion Sponsor, Dade Institute of Technology and Health for their continued support. Click below to view the luncheon photos!
Led by our Keynote Speaker, Dr. Artangela Henry, a Sickle Cell Disease Matter Expert, attendees learned all about Sickle Cell Anemia Disease, its effects, treatments, and how they can support those affected. This event also featured interactive sessions where attendees had a chance to connect with many Sickle Cell Warriors, Caregivers and others in the community. Moreover, JAYJ Foundation Founder and President, Valentine Joseph, gave a poignant speech about the toll and trauma that sickle cell caregivers endure.
JAYJ Foundation was founded in 2014 by Valentine Joseph in memory of her three brothers, Jean, Anderson and Yoldy Joseph (Pictured), who all died from Sickle Cell Anemia Disease and her maternal grandmother, Francilia Esperance, who died from cancer.
JAYJ Foundation is a 501(C)(3) tax-exempt organization whose mission is to promote, aid, and advocate for better and greater access to health care and healthy living services, education, and the overall well-being of women and children in the United States and in Haiti.
JAYJ Foundation is thrilled to release an official Public Service Announcement (PSA) “JOUNEN MONDYAL POU MALADI ANEMI FALSIFOM” in Haitian Creole (via video and audio formats) to bring much needed awareness to the underserved Haitian Sickle Cell Warriors and Caregivers dealing with this dreadful disease. We truly hope that this PSA will aid to further educate and prevent unwarranted hospitalizations for Sickle Cell Warriors and Caregivers.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the exact number of people living with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) in the U.S. is unknown. Working with partners, the CDC supports projects to learn about the number of people living with SCD to better understand how the disease impacts their health.
It is estimated that SCD affects approximately 100,000 Americans. SCD occurs among about 1 out of every 500 Black or African-American births. SCD occurs among about 1 out of every 3600 Hispanic-American births. About 1 in 13 Black or African-American babies is born with sickle cell trait (SCT).
The State of Florida is one of just 10 States which accounts for more than half of the Sickle Cell Disease community. South Florida, which comprises of Miami, Broward and Palm Beach Counties are the top three counties in Florida with the highest prevalence of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) patients. Marked disparities in the number of SCD referral centers in comparison to SCD birth hospitals in the county have been reported. The Foundation is aggressively advocating on behalf of Sickle Cell patients and their caregivers to ensure that they receive the best possible care within the health care and school systems; are treated fairly; and that adequate programs and services geared to their specific needs are provided.
According to the University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, “One in 13 children die before their fifth birthday. It is a tragedy and arguably a moral outrage when children die needlessly. Sadly, children with Sickle Cell Anemia are dying needlessly in Haiti, which has a high prevalence of this inherited disease.” The two most effective medications (Penicillin and Hydroxyurea) used to treat Sickle Cell patients are unavailable in Haiti. In Haiti, until now, a sense of fatalism concerning Sickle Cell Anemia has become a self-fulfilling prophecy – children with sickle cell anemia rarely survive infancy. Ironically, they die of an infectious complication of their disease that could be easily prevented – pneumonia.
JAYJ Foundation is pleased to partner with South Florida's premier Children's Hospitals (University of Miami Sickle Cell Center, Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital and Palm Beach Children Hospital) to provide Well Care Kits to Sickle Cell Disease patients while in the hospitals and/or getting their required medical check-ups.
Sickle Cell Disease is a genetic blood disorder that causes red blood cells to change shape and can lead to tissue damage and pain, as well as enlarged spleen, anemia, and other symptoms. It is most common among those of African descent. Not long ago, the life expectancy for children diagnosed with the disease was only 15 years. However, significant progress has been made over the years, primarily in the areas of pain management, resulting in fewer hospitalizations, and an increase in longevity using aggressive treatments such as bone-marrow transplants. Sickle Cell Disease is also the most common genetic blood disorder in the US.
Since 2016 JAYJ Foundation has provided assistance to children and residents of St. Louis du Sud, Haiti through its Annual Back to School and Toy Distribution. Each year, we feed over 400 children and provide care kits for the entire family and much more.
On December 29, 2018, JAYJ Foundation provided over 400+ meals, and school supplies as well as toys to school children. We also distributed over 250 care kits to women and served an additional 200 residents in St. Louis du Sud, Haiti.
We are already planning for first ever medical mission this coming December which will be the biggest ever. STAY TUNED.
Click on the link below to view our 2018 Mission Video!
In December 24, 2017, JAYJ Foundation provided over 300+ meals, backpacks and school supplies as well as toys to the area children. We also distributed over 200 kits and served an additional 125 residents of St. Louis du Sud, Haiti.
In October 2016, Hurricane Matthew ravaged the Southern Region of Haiti, including St. Louis du Sud, our Founder's parents hometown, killing hundreds of people and leaving thousands more homeless and in disarray. JAYJ Foundation traveled to Haiti with a volunteer team and provided some much needed relief to the area affected residents.