To: Board of Supervisors
From: Grant Colfax, Health Services Director
Report Title: Recognize Sickle Cell Awareness Month and World Marrow Donor Day for September 2025
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ADOPT Resolution recognizing September 2025 as Sickle Cell Awareness Month & September 20, 2025 as World Marrow Donor Day.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact for this action.
BACKGROUND:
N/A
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
N/A
The Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County, California
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IN THE MATTER OF Recognizing World Marrow Donor Day 2025 and Proclaiming September as Sickle Cell Awareness Month
WHEREAS, World Marrow Donor Day (WMDD) is observed annually on the third Saturday in September as a global initiative of the World Marrow Donor Association (WMDA) to honor more than 43 million registered stem cell and cord blood donors worldwide; and
WHEREAS, WMDD is dedicated to thanking the selfless individuals who register and donate stem cells to save lives, and the 2025 theme, “Hope Heroes,” recognizes the profound impact of voluntary donors in transforming the lives of patients and families around the globe; and
WHEREAS, marrow and stem cell transplants are often the only life-saving treatment for patients with certain blood cancers, genetic disorders, and life-threatening blood diseases, including sickle cell disease; and
WHEREAS, sickle cell disease is the most common inherited blood disorder in the United States, affecting approximately 100,000 Americans and disproportionately impacting African American and Hispanic communities; and
WHEREAS, September has been nationally recognized as Sickle Cell Awareness Month to increase public knowledge, promote early diagnosis, support research, and improve health outcomes for individuals living with this lifelong condition; and
WHEREAS, individuals with sickle cell disease may depend on bone marrow or stem cell transplants for the possibility of a cure, yet racial and ethnic minorities remain significantly underrepresented on national and international donor registries; and
WHEREAS, Contra Costa Health and the National Donor Marrow Program (NDMP, formerly Be The Match) have come together in partnership to advocate, educate, and recruit future marrow and stem cell donors throughout Contra Costa County, expanding awareness and improving equity in access to life-saving treatments; and
WHEREAS, expanded public education, greater donor registration, and continued community outreach are critical to saving lives, addressing disparities, and bringing hope to patients and families;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: that the County Board of Supervisors does hereby recognizes September 2025 as Sickle Cell Awareness Month in Contra Costa County, urging all residents to learn more about this disease, support affected individuals and families, and promote equitable access to care and research; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the County Board of Supervisors joins with communities worldwide in recognizing World Marrow Donor Day on Saturday, September 20, 2025, honoring marrow and stem cell donors for their life-saving contributions, and encouraging all eligible residents, particularly those from diverse backgrounds, to register as potential donors.