© 2025 WFSU Public Media
WFSU News · Tallahassee · Panama City · Thomasville
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
WFSU-FM is currently broadcasting at reduced power. We apologize for this inconvenience. And remember, you can stream or listen to WFSU on the App.

Lawmakers secure $3.75 million to advance sickle cell treatment

A series of red objects, some round, some sickle-shaped
AdobeStock_437938849_preview
/
adobe.stock.com
Sickle cell is a blood disease, called that because the red blood cells are shaped like sickles and can block the blood flow to the rest of the body.

Two Florida lawmakers have secured nearly 4 million dollars to improve treatment for people with sickle cell disease.

Democrats St. Petersburg Senator Darryl Rouson and Tampa Representative Fentrice Driskell are touting state allocations for two major initiatives through the Foundation for Sickle Cell Disease Research.

The money is intended to address a longstanding gap in knowledge about sickle cell-related mortality.

One goal is to encourage autopsies for those who pass away from the disease. That data will guide treatment, inform public health strategies, and strengthen advocacy efforts.

And money is also earmarked to improve transportation access for sickle-cell patients. That funding will provide two vans to each of Florida’s 15 Sickle Cell Centers of Excellence.

The lawmakers say that will help ensure reliable access to outpatient services statewide.

Follow @MargieMenzel



Margie Menzel covers local and state government for WFSU News. She has also worked at the News Service of Florida and Gannett News Service. She earned her B.A. in history at Vanderbilt University and her M.S. in journalism at Florida A&M University.