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I am participating in this fundraiser to raise awareness for Sickle Cell Disease patients and underserved communities in South Florida.
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OMS-1 at Nova Southeastern University - KPCOM
Florida has the highest rates of Sickle Cell Disease births in the US, with the majority of SCD patients being residents in the Tri-county area (Broward, Miami, Palm Beach).
Sickle Cell Disease patients in Florida spend ~$630 million on treatment, ~80% of which is spent in Emergency Departments.
Adults and children who are food insecure may be at an increased risk of birth defects, anemia, lower nutrient intake, cognitive problems, aggression, and anxiety.
Contributing factors to food insecurity include lower socioeconomic status, as well as living in food deserts (areas with limited access to affordable, nutritious food).
African American communities across Miami-Dade county have an average household income $18,512 lower than other racial demographics. Additionally, African American communities across Florida have a poverty rate of 2.7%-9.3% higher than the poverty rate of other racial demographics.
Currently, the Foundation for Sickle Cell Disease Research (FSCDR) is expanding their Miami-based facility in order to provide Sickle Cell Disease patients with life-altering treatment and care in a safe, supportive environment.
Additionally, FSCDR aims to provide Sickle Cell Disease patients with easier access to non-Emergency Department based healthcare, which helps mitigate the costs of Sickle Cell Disease treatment.
https://vimeo.com/340640521
While FSCDR focuses on the treatment of Sickle Cell Disease patients, Village (Free)dge is working to place community refrigerators in different locations across Florida.
More specifically, Village (Free)dge aims to provide underserved communities of Florida with non-perishable foods, microwaveable foods, and fresh, nutritious foods to cook.
Our medical students believe that it is our duty, as humanitarians, to help those around the world in need. We must come together to help make a positive impact on our local, national, and global communities.
With your contribution, we will aid FSCDR and Village (Free)dge in their efforts to provide affordable, quality healthcare for Sickle Cell Disease patients, as well as to provide nutritious meals for underserved communities across Florida. Do your part to help make the world a better place - help us with our Med Students REDI for Change Initiative!
*Additionally, thanks to your support, Kaplan & Princeton Review have agreed to partner with us to provide pre-medical students with free MCAT Prep resources! For every $5,000 raised, Kaplan will provide us with additional resources so that we can further our impact on pre-medical students across the US.
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