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Welcome to the most impactful event of the season! Ryan’s Run 5K Run/Walk is not just a race—it’s a powerful stride towards raising awareness and support for individuals living with sickle cell disease. Join us on Saturday, September 16, at 8 a.m., as we unite the community, celebrate Sickle Cell Awareness Month, and honor our Sickle Cell Warriors.

The race will begin at Galvez Plaza and finish back at the Plaza for our health and wellness event. Registration will begin at 6:30 a.m.

Join Us to:

  • Raise Awareness: Help us shed light on the challenges faced by Sickle Cell Warriors and their families.
  • Celebrate Strength: Honor the resilience of those living with sickle cell disease and their determination to keep thriving and living.
  • Make a Difference: Every step you take and every dollar you raise directly impacts individuals in need.

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Supporting Our Community: Funds raised through Ryan’s Run 5K go directly to providing care coordinators and essential services for individuals living with sickle cell disease in South Louisiana. Your participation and contributions enable us to offer critical assistance and support, as well as educational resources that make a tangible difference in their lives.

Get Involved: Whether you’re a passionate runner, a dedicated walker, or simply someone who wants to make a meaningful impact, Ryan’s Run 5K welcomes everyone. Register as an individual, form a team, or show your support through sponsorship. Together, we can create a future where sickle cell disease is better understood, managed, and ultimately overcome.

Register Now: Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this transformative event. Register for Ryan’s Run 5K today and mark your calendar for Saturday, September 16, at 8 a.m. Let’s lace up our shoes, stand united, and take strides towards a brighter tomorrow for individuals living with sickle cell disease.

Why Ryan’s Run/Walk 5K?

The annual Ryan’s Run/Walk 5k promotes education and awareness for those living with sickle cell disease (SCD). Sickle cell disease/anemia is a painful genetic blood disorder impacting more than 100,000 people in the United States. With 2.5 million carrying the trait, it is the most common inherited blood disorder in the country. Newborns can be tested at birth, but others can be tested through a blood test.

SCASL has been serving the sickle cell community in Baton Rouge for 49 YEARS. In 2018 the organization expanded its reach to serve clients in the New Orleans and Lafayette area, doubling its members. SCASL is the only organization to provide supportive medical and social services to people living with sickle cell disease in these areas.

Funds raised through Ryan’s Run/Walk 5k stays within the South Louisiana community to provide supportive services to those living with SCD. Services include housing, transportation, educational workshops, kid summer camps, and more.

The elite NFL player suffered a major health scare after a 2007 game in the mile-high city of Denver, Colorado. Doctors say the high altitude and extreme physical stress triggered the painful and dangerous symptoms, normally only seen in those with sickle cell disease. The strong, healthy 205-pound Clark had excruciating pain in his left side. He returned to Pittsburgh and underwent a battery of tests at UP.M.C. Clark’s test results found sickle cell-related damage to his spleen. Doctors performed emergency surgery to remove his spleen and gallbladder, sidelining Clark for the remainder of the Steelers’ season. Thirty pounds lighter, determined Clark returned to play the following NFL season. His courageous and inspiring return to pro football earned him the Ed Block Courage Award, presented yearly to selected NFL players who represent exemplary role models of courage, inspiration, and sportsmanship. Ryan retired from the NFL in 2015.

He also hopes to send a message to people dealing with sickle cell disease’s pain and complications: “I know that it takes immense strength to withstand the constant pain and unpredictable attacks associated with sickle cell disease. I am so amazed by the strength and resilience I see in people suffering from this disease — strength in the face of adversity. “I want you to know that you are not alone with your disease.

Lorri Burgess, a dedicated champion for those affected by Sickle Cell Disease, left an indelible mark on our cause. Her visionary leadership as CEO propelled the Sickle Cell Association of South Louisiana (SCASL) to remarkable heights, annually expanding its support to a growing number of individuals. This tireless effort earned SCASL well-deserved recognition on a national stage, as it emerged as the most improved sickle cell foundation in the United States, under her guidance.

Ms. Burgess was a trailblazer in broadening the foundation’s impact, employing her ingenuity to orchestrate unique and groundbreaking fundraisers. One such standout initiative was the celebrated Ryan’s Run/Walk, which not only raised vital funds but also amplified awareness in unprecedented ways. These innovative endeavors embodied her commitment to driving tangible change for those affected by sickle cell disease.

Your participation echoes the spirit of Lorri Burgess’s impactful journey, and together, we forge ahead towards a future marked by greater understanding, improved treatments, and increased advocacy.

Thank you to our Sponsors

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© 2008-2021 The Sickle Cell Association of South Louisiana is a not-for-profit organization recognized as tax-exempt under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3). Our mission is to bring hope to families in south Louisiana affected by this devastating disease.

Volunteers Needed

  • Clerical Assistance, Tutoring, Mentoring, Special Event, etc WORKPLACE GIVING
  • Provide an opportunity for employee giving through payroll deductions.

Sponsor An Event

Consider sponsoring an event at your church, school, or business to raise funds for sickle cell disease.