Cayenne Wellness Center is set to host its 20th Annual Sickle Cell Disease Educational Summit from September 16 to 20, 2026, at the Marriott Long Beach Downtown in Long Beach, California. The event, themed '20/20 Vision: Our Legacy Continues,' will convene patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, researchers, and advocates to reflect on two decades of progress and chart the path forward in sickle cell care.
The summit originated from a patient's demand for better healthcare experiences. As Dr. Carolyn Rowley, Executive Director and Founder of Cayenne Wellness Center, noted, 'Twenty years ago, this Summit began because one Warrior demanded more—more awareness, more education, and more understanding from the healthcare professionals caring for them.' The vision of Stephanie Mulkey, a Warrior, and Pat Corley, RN, who responded to her call, has evolved from a half-day gathering into a five-day comprehensive program.
This year's summit arrives at a pivotal moment in sickle cell disease treatment. 'In 1910, Dr. James B. Herrick published his observations of the unusual, elongated sickle-shaped cells found in an intelligent Negro named Walter Clement Noel. One hundred and sixteen years later, we enter our 20th Annual SCD Educational Summit with two FDA-approved gene therapies and three FDA-approved disease-modifying treatments,' Dr. Rowley emphasized. These advances, alongside a robust pipeline of new therapies, represent significant strides since the disease's first modern description.
The summit's agenda is designed to address both clinical advancements and the lived experiences of those affected. Wednesday's sessions will focus on treatment, research, and the physician experience, including discussions on FDA-approved therapies, gene therapy, and a panel titled 'Real Talk, Real Pain: Perspectives from Physicians Living with Sickle Cell Disease.' Thursday shifts to wellness, sickle cell trait, and reproductive health, offering sessions on acupuncture, sound healing, and reproductive counseling. Friday's programming covers life transitions, from dating and careers to aging and financial planning, culminating in an award ceremony and benefit concert. Saturday will explore mental health, technology, and storytelling, with topics like trauma, anxiety, and the role of artificial intelligence in sickle cell care. The summit concludes Sunday with a visit to the Scar Stories Exhibit, an artistic reflection on personal experiences with the disease.
Beyond education, the summit provides networking opportunities, vendor exhibitions, and community resources. Registration is now open at https://cayennewellness.org/scd-educational-summit-2026/. Organizations can reserve vendor tables via https://tinyurl.com/SVENDOR2026.
Cayenne Wellness Center, a nonprofit established in 2000, remains dedicated to improving quality of life for those with sickle cell disease through education, advocacy, and comprehensive support. This milestone summit not only celebrates past achievements but also reinforces the ongoing commitment to advancing care and awareness. As Dr. Rowley concluded, 'This 20th Annual SCD Educational Summit is more than an anniversary—it is a testament to every Warrior, caregiver, healthcare professional, advocate, and visionary like Stephanie who believed that people living with sickle cell disease deserved more. And we are still demanding more.'
