Cayenne Wellness Center has announced its 5th Annual Hispanic Heritage Month Educational Summit, scheduled for September 15-16, 2026, at the Marriott Long Beach Downtown in Long Beach, California. The two-day event will also be available online, offering both in-person and virtual participation options for attendees.
The summit is designed to unite sickle cell warriors, caregivers, healthcare professionals, advocates, community leaders, organizations, and families to shed light on sickle cell disease, with a specific focus on the unique experiences and challenges faced by Hispanic and Latino individuals and families affected by the condition. The timing is significant, as September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month, and the summit begins on September 15, the opening of Hispanic Heritage Month. This convergence provides a timely opportunity to bring greater visibility to the intersection of culture, health, identity, and sickle cell disease.
Programming will explore the relationship between country of origin, genetic background, and community-centered sickle cell education, while providing practical tools to help warriors advocate for themselves and navigate sickle cell disease, comorbidities, and related health concerns. A central part of the summit will be the inclusion of lived experience through a warrior-led roundtable, where individuals living with sickle cell disease will share their perspectives and experiences directly with attendees. The program will also address the important transition from pediatric to adult care and feature breakout discussions focused on men's health and sickle cell disease, women's health and sickle cell disease, international sickle cell warriors, and domestic and international providers and caregivers.
The summit aims to strengthen relationships across the sickle cell community through education, storytelling, advocacy, resource-sharing, and community connection. Vendor and exhibitor tables are available for community-based organizations, businesses, healthcare organizations, authors, artists, educational institutions, industry partners, and others interested in sharing resources and connecting directly with summit participants.
Beam Therapeutics, Inc. is a GOLD sponsor for the event, while Chiesi USA, Inc. and Global Rare Diseases serve as SILVER sponsors. Their support is crucial in bringing this impactful programming to the community.
Registration is now open for sickle cell warriors, families, caregivers, healthcare professionals, advocates, community organizations, and other interested attendees. Those interested can register at https://cayennewellness.org/espanol/hispanic-heritage-virtual-seminar-2026. Vendor and exhibitor opportunities are also available; organizations and businesses can reserve a table at https://tinyurl.com/HHVENDOR2026.
Cayenne Wellness Center and Children's Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 2000 and dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals living with sickle cell disease in California. The organization provides expert, unbiased, and comprehensive care while promoting education, advocacy, and awareness for healthcare providers, patients, and the wider community. With a strong grassroots network and a commitment to equity, Cayenne Wellness continues to be a trusted leader in advancing sickle cell support and resources.
