By Ann Marie Byrd, Feature Writer
Our New Bern community is extraordinarily blessed by a great number of charitable non-profit organizations that are deeply dedicated to community involvement, enhancement, service and friendship. One such organization that strives to make a difference in our community is the Neuse-Pamlico Sound Women’s Coalition, Inc.
On Saturday, March 12, 2022, this exceptional organization is hosting their 7th Annual Sickle Cell Anemia in Person and Virtual Walk/Run in order to raise awareness for the disease and generate funds to help support children and families that struggle with the disorder.
Sickle Cell Disease, or SCD, is a devastating blood disease affecting millions worldwide. More than 300,000 adults suffer with the condition here in America, and roughly 2,000 infants are born each year with SCD in the United States alone.
The coalition, which was founded in 2000, is made up of professional African American Women with various backgrounds, interests, and skill sets. According to their President, Millicent McLean, their goal is to “provide services that educate, promote, and enhance in areas of health and wellness, youth and family services and raise awareness of cultural events. The ultimate goal is to provide the tools necessary to aid our African American descendants in the fight to close the disparity gap that exists among us. The projects initiated are skillfully planned and executed with participation from all members of the organized body. In addition, we partner and collaborate with other groups and institutions to pool resources, strengthen our efforts and build sustainable relationships. We also support other organizations whose missions and goals align with our purpose and mission.”
So why has this organization chosen Sickle Cell Anemia as their cause? It all began with Vickie Moseley-Jones, a NPSW member, whose son Jamal was diagnosed with SCD when he was only nine-months old. “SCD is an inherited genetic blood disorder, and children with the disease have a variety of symptoms and problems that can prevent them from living normal lives,” says Vickie. “It can be very stressful for families, particularly if they are single-parents that are working and trying to seek out-of-town medical care. Our organization raises funds in order to provide money to families to pay rent or utilities, car payments, provide gas cards to take children to Vidant Hospital’s Comprehensive Sickle Cell Clinic, send children to camps or provide scholarship for graduating seniors. We also partner with Piedmont health to reach and identify patients in need of financial support.”
Vickie recalls that when she first joined the coalition, her NPSWC sister witnessed the struggles her son had battling this disease. Judy Pierce, who was the President of the organization at the time, came up with the idea to create a Sickle Cell Walk / Run to assist families struggling with Sickle Cell in eastern North Carolina. The rest is history and seven years later the event is still going strong. “Judy is a powerhouse and a woman of god, and her kindness and generosity, along with the other sisters in our coalition who have wrapped themselves around the cause, is amazing. My husband Greg and I are humbled. I love these women and the strength we have together as we volunteer, raise funds and truly give back to our community. The walk / run started small several years ago, but every year it grows, and the funds continue to increase.”
The walk this year is particularly poignant for Vickie, because on January 20, 2021, her son Jamal finally was taken from her, surrendering to the disease at the young age of 37. “I’m determined that his living and his dying are not in vain. He accomplished so many things in 37 years, and lived a full live, accomplishing many things he wanted to do, like going to culinary school and getting a degree in information technology. I hope that his death is going to bring more awareness to SCD. A scholarship has been established in his name. Before my time is over on this earth, I will do everything that I can to help end this disease, and I believe someday it will be eradicated.”