This September, Cayenne Wellness Center will host its 20th Annual Sickle Cell Disease Educational Summit, a milestone event that underscores two decades of advocacy and education in the fight against sickle cell disease. Scheduled for September 16–20, 2026, at the Marriott Long Beach Downtown in Long Beach, California, the summit will bring together patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, researchers, and community advocates under the theme “20/20 Vision: Our Legacy Continues.”
The summit’s origins trace back to a patient’s demand for better care. According to Dr. Carolyn Rowley, Executive Director and Founder of Cayenne Wellness Center, “Twenty years ago, this Summit began because one Warrior demanded more—more awareness, more education, and more understanding from the healthcare professionals caring for them.” Stephanie Mulkey, a sickle cell warrior, and Pat Corley, RN, responded to that call, and although Mulkey passed away before the first seminar, her vision has endured. What started as a half-day gathering has evolved into a five-day event spanning education, connection, science, advocacy, and hope.
The summit arrives at a pivotal time in sickle cell research and treatment. Dr. Rowley notes that since Dr. James B. Herrick first described sickle-shaped cells in 1910, the field has seen remarkable progress: “One hundred and sixteen years later, we enter our 20th Annual SCD Educational Summit with two FDA-approved gene therapies and three FDA-approved disease-modifying treatments, an extraordinary pipeline of new therapies, Warriors living fuller lives, and caregivers insisting that their voices be seen and heard.”
The five-day program is designed to address both clinical advances and the everyday realities of living with sickle cell disease. Wednesday’s sessions will focus on treatment and research, including FDA-approved and emerging therapies, red blood cell exchange, gene therapy, and community-engaged research. An evening physician track will feature pain management and a panel titled “Real Talk, Real Pain: Perspectives from Physicians Living with Sickle Cell Disease.” Thursday will explore wellness approaches such as acupuncture, sound healing, and nutrition, alongside sessions on sickle cell trait awareness, reproductive counseling, and insurance. Friday’s programming will address life transitions, including dating, marriage, careers, aging, and financial planning, followed by an award ceremony and benefit concert. Saturday will delve into mental health, trauma, and the role of artificial intelligence in sickle cell care, with storytelling sessions and a “down-home conversation” on life with the disease. The summit concludes Sunday with a visit to Cayenne Wellness Center’s Scar Stories Exhibit, an artistic exploration of sickle cell experiences.
Registration is now open for warriors, families, caregivers, and professionals. Interested participants can register at cayennewellness.org/scd-educational-summit-2026. Organizations and businesses can reserve vendor or exhibitor tables by visiting tinyurl.com/SVENDOR2026.
Cayenne Wellness Center and Children’s Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in 2000, has been a trusted leader in sickle cell support and resources in California. The organization provides comprehensive care and promotes education, advocacy, and awareness for healthcare providers, patients, and the community. This 20th summit not only celebrates past achievements but also renews the commitment to improving the lives of those affected by sickle cell disease.
