I support funding for HB1391 and HB1418 to ensure that the Sickle Cell Community in Virginia. Too often, patients experience delays, inadequate pain management, or inconsistent treatment-particularly in emergency departments or underserved areas where sickle cell patients are not readily available. Because it is a rare disease, not all practitioners know how to treat sickle cell patients. They need to be able to call the specialists to help with the appropriate care for their patients. It is important that this legislation be passed. It is terrible to watch a child in agony with excruciating pain waiting to be taken care of properly. Please pass this legislation. It is also important to educate the community at large about sickle cell trait so people can make informed decisions about how it impacts people's lives at schools, athletic programs, and at jobs. Thank you for your time.

HB1391/1418: Do not pass these two bills that appear to be another USAID type scam wherein diseases that have almost no relevance in the USA are given money which is then opened up for kickbacks, extortion, and bribes. Where is the bill that looks into the hazards of MRNA shots that millions of virginians took? In huge contrast to MRNA shots, sickle cell Statistics say: Worldwide Impact: An estimated 7.74 million people were living with sickle cell disease (SCD) globally in 2021, with 515,000 new births primarily occurring in sub-Saharan Africa, which accounts for nearly 80% of global cases. Translation: even in the entire world , only 1/1000 people are affected.