Mary Alcocer
Dorian Archie
Etta Carter
Felica Calloway
Carley Cole-Cavins
Pat Corley, RN
Jody Johnson
Sheila Marchbanks
Amie Patel
Carolyn Rowley, PhD
Adrienne Shapiro
Brianna Smith
Wanda Williams
William “Bill” Engelman, MD
Important Sponsorship Policy Update:
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Industry Sponsorship Levels (including pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, and healthcare corporations) are invited and eligible to sponsor only at the following levels:
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Silver;
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Gold;
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Platinum;
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Ruby; or
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Diamond.
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The Community Sponsorship Level is exclusively reserved for Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), foundations, grassroots initiatives, and similar entities whose mission aligns with community empowerment and health equity.
Please find the level of sponsorships and their benefits below:
| DAY 1 | TIME | SESSION |
Wednesday, September 16, 2026 |
7:30 – 9:30 AM | Breakfast |
| 8:00 AM | Registration / Check-In Opens | |
| 8:00 – 9:00 AM | Visit Vendors, Exhibitors, and Authors | |
| 9:00 AM | Opening Ceremony | |
| 9:30 AM | Welcome from the MC | |
| 10:00 AM | Thank You to Diamond Sponsor | |
| 10:10 AM | Announcements | |
| 10:30 AM | Session Opening and Moderator Intro | |
| 10:45 AM | FDA Approved Modifying Therapies | |
| 10:45 AM | Hydroxyurea | |
| 11:15 AM | L-Glutamine | |
| 11:30 AM | Red Blood Cell Exchange | |
| 11:45 AM | Community Engaged Research | |
| 12:00 PM | Q&A | |
| 12:15 PM | Lunch | |
| 1:00 PM | Emerging Therapies: Disease Modifying Therapies | |
| 1:00 PM | Agios Pharmaceuticals | |
| 1:15 PM | TBA | |
| 1:30 PM | TBD | |
| 1:45 PM | Q&A | |
| 2:00 PM | FDA-Approved Gene Therapies | |
| 2:00 PM | Vertex Gene Therapy Overview | |
| 2:15 PM | Gene Therapy Overview | |
| 2:30 PM | Q&A | |
| 2:45 PM | Emerging Therapies: Transformative Therapy | |
| 2:45 PM | Beam Therapeutics | |
| 3:00 PM | Kamau Therapeutics | |
| 3:15 PM | Q&A | |
| 3:30 PM | Break | |
| 5:45 – 8:30 PM | Physician Track: Doctor to Doctor – A Warrior in White, Patient and Practitioner | |
| 5:45 PM | Reception | |
| 6:00 PM | Dinner | |
| 6:15 PM | Sickle Cell Disease Acute and Chronic Pain Management | |
| 6:45 – 8:00 PM | Real Talk, Real Pain: Perspectives from Physicians Living with Sickle Cell Disease | |
| 8:00 PM | Sickle Cell Pledge | |
| 8:10 PM | Networking | |
| 8:30 PM | Adjourned |
| DAY 2 | TIME | SESSION |
Thursday, September 17, 2026 |
7:30 – 9:30 AM | Breakfast and Registration / Check-In |
| 8:00 AM | Prayer | |
| 8:25 AM | Welcome – Cayenne Wellness Center | |
| 8:30 AM | Welcome – Axis Advocates | |
| 8:40 AM | Mayor of Long Beach | |
| 8:45 AM | Team Building / Movement | |
| 9:00 – 12:00 PM | Exploring Alternative Paths for Wellness | |
| 9:15 – 9:40 AM | Acupuncture and Acupressure | |
| 9:45 – 10:10 AM | Sound Healing | |
| 10:15 – 10:40 AM | Reflexology | |
| 10:45 – 11:10 AM | Osteopathy or Nutrition | |
| 11:20 – 12:00 PM | Breakout Rooms: Acupuncture and Acupressure; Sound Healing; Reflexology; Osteopathy | Nutrition | |
| 12:00 PM | Lunch | |
| 2:00 PM | Sickle Cell Trait | |
| 2:15 PM | Sickle Cell Trait Awareness, Reproductive Counseling, and Red Talk | |
| 2:35 PM | Reproductive Health | |
| 2:55 PM | Statistics, Hemoglobinopathies, and Research Findings | |
| 3:15 PM | Q&A | |
| 3:30 PM | Gene Therapy | |
| 3:45 PM | Cost, Insurance, and CIRM | |
| 4:15 PM | How to Inform Your Healthcare Provider, Family, and Loved Ones | |
| 4:25 PM | Panel | |
| 4:45 PM | Q&A | |
| 5:00 PM | Celebration of Life | |
| 6:30 – 8:30 PM | Game Night / Karaoke and Finger Food |
| DAY 3 | TIME | SESSION |
Friday- September 18, 2026 |
7:30 – 9:30 AM | Breakfast and Registration |
| 8:30 AM | Prayer | |
| 8:35 AM | Team Building / Movement | |
| 8:50 AM | Announcements | |
| 9:00 – 12:00 PM | Stephanie Mulkey Keynote Speaker Session: Curious Case of a Warrior’s Becoming | |
| 9:00 AM | Living with Sickle Cell Disease: Transition, Dating, Marriage, Career, and Aging | |
| 10:00 AM | Caregivers: Early Childhood, Parenting, Adult Warriors, and IHSS | |
| 11:00 AM | Financial Planning: Life Insurance, Financial Planning, Advance Directives, CALAble, SSI, Trusts, and Wills | |
| 12:00 PM | Lunch | |
| 2:00 PM | Women’s Health and Sickle Cell Disease | |
| 2:10 – 2:30 PM | Women’s Health: Moderator Intro | |
| 2:30 – 2:50 PM | Women’s Health: Panel | |
| 2:50 – 3:00 PM | Women’s Health: Q&A | |
| 3:00 PM | Men’s Health and Sickle Cell Disease | |
| 3:00 – 3:10 PM | Men’s Health: Moderator Intro | |
| 3:10 – 3:45 PM | Men’s Health: Panel | |
| 3:45 – 3:55 PM | Men’s Health: Q&A | |
| 4:00 PM | Vaccinations and Sickle Cell Disease | |
| 4:00 – 4:10 PM | Vaccinations: Intro | |
| 4:10 – 4:30 PM | How Vaccines Work and Dispelling Myths | |
| 4:30 – 5:00 PM | Vaccinations: Q&A | |
| 6:00 – 9:15 PM | Award Ceremony, Dinner, and Benefit Concert |
| DAY 4 | TIME | SESSION |
Saturday, September 19, 2026 |
8:00 – 10:00 AM | Breakfast and Registration |
| 8:30 AM | Prayer | |
| 8:35 AM | Summary | |
| 8:45 AM | Team Building / Movement | |
| 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Morning Sessions | |
| 9:00 AM | Mental Health & SCD | |
| 9:20 AM | Trauma, Depression, Anxiety & Grief | |
| 9:40 AM | Adverse Childhood Experiences | |
| 9:50 AM | CWC Mental Health & Wellness Initiative | |
| 10:00 AM | The Whole Me: Sparking the Warrior Within | |
| 10:15 AM | Interactive Warrior Passion Highlights | |
| 10:45 AM | Q&A | |
| 11:00 AM | Wellness Offerings: Massage, Acupressure, Nutrition and Hydration, Exercise Class, and Related Activities | |
| 12:00 PM | Lunch | |
| 2:00 – 5:00 PM | Afternoon Sessions | |
| 2:00 PM | How to Partner Well with Your Healthcare Provider / Introduction to AI and Technology | |
| 2:00 PM | What Is AI? | |
| 2:10 PM | AI in Medicine | |
| 2:30 PM | AI and Care in Sickle Cell Disease | |
| 2:45 PM | Q&A | |
| 3:00 PM | Better Creativity: Crafting Your Own Story | |
| 3:00 PM | Storytelling: Intro | |
| 3:10 PM | Fundamentals of Storytelling | |
| 3:25 PM | Creative Walk Through | |
| 3:50 PM | Q&A | |
| 4:00 PM | The Real Real: Down-Home Conversation on Life with Sickle Cell Disease | |
| 5:00 PM | Ending Ceremonies | |
| Evening | Comedy at the Laugh Factory Featuring J Snow. (Optional, Extra Cost)*** |
| DAY 5 | TIME | SESSION |
Sunday, September 20, 2026 |
7:30 – 8:30 AM | Breakfast |
| 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM | Scar Stories Exhibit | |
| 9:30 AM | Charter Bus #1 to CWC Art Gallery | |
| 10:00 AM | Charter Bus #2 to CWC Art Gallery | |
| 12:30 PM | Lunch | |
| 2:30 PM | Charter Bus #1 to Hotel | |
| 3:00 PM | Charter Bus #2 to Hotel |
As we continue to prepare for the upcoming event, we are working hard to identify your questions and provide answers. Check here often for new FAQs, and if you need additional assistance, email our Event Team at Events(at)CayenneWellness.org.
I’m attending the event virtually. How do I access the event?
To join the virtual event, you can either join via your web browser on a laptop/computer or mobile device, or download the event app and join sessions from within the app.
To view on computer click the link below:
To view on the mobile app click the link below:
I’m attending in-person. Can I also view sessions virtually?
Yes, you can! As long as you’re registered for the event, you can download the event app, or access the event website to view any session, from the comfort of your hotel room, or from anywhere else as long as there’s an internet connection.
To view on computer click the link below:
To view on the mobile app click the link below:
Will I need to leave a credit card?
Yes.
PLEASE READ ABOUT *INCIDENTAL HOTEL HOLD*
- If Cayenne Wellness Center covers your rooms, the hotel will require a soft incidental hold. Don’t be alarmed. This hold will temporarily remove the money from your account but will be replaced within a few days. Please bring a credit card that can hold the fees temporarily. The fees may be as much as $100/day or more.
I am a Warrior or Caregiver. How do I book a hotel room?
If you are a Warrior or Caregiver and you’re attending the event in-person hotel is included in your in-person fee (not commuter), and you should select the in-person registration.
I need a plane or other ticket to get to the event. How do I request that?
Transportation to and from the event is the responsibility of the attendee. Please contact the Cayenne staff with additional questions regarding transportation.
How do I register for the event?
You can register for the 17th Annual Sickle Cell Disease Educational Seminar via the Cayenne website (see the registration images above) or via the email you may have received as an invitation to register.
I made a mistake on my registration, how do I change it?
To change your registration, locate the confirmation email you received. Once located, find your confirmation number, highlight it, and click ‘control-c’. At the bottom of your email, you’ll see a “View or Modify your registration” link. Click that link, and enter your confirmation number to modify your registration:
How much does the event cost?
The price of the event depends on a number of factors, including your attendee category.
I want to register for the virtual event. How do I do that?
Registering for the virtual event is fast and easy – simply click the virtual event image shown on the page above to get started.
I want to attend in person. How do I register?
Registering for the in-person event is fast and easy – simply click the in-person event image shown on the page above to get started.
How do I cancel my registration?
To cancel your registration, locate your confirmation email, copy your confirmation number, and click the ‘View or modify your registration’ link at the bottom of the email. Once you’ve pasted your confirmation number and logged in, scroll to the bottom of the screen. You’ll see a ‘Cancel Registration’ button – click that button and follow the instructions to process your cancellation. Note that Cvent will automatically refund any fees paid directly to the form of payment you used during registration.

The 20th Annual Sickle Cell Disease Educational Summit will be held at the Marriott Long Beach (Downtown)
The address is: 111 East Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach, CA
Additional information and group rate coming soon.
Celebration of Life

Vertex, a global biotechnology company, is focused on developing transformative medicines for people with serious diseases by fostering meaningful relationships. Patients are at our core, and Vertex is honored to support the 17th Annual Sickle Cell Disease Educational Summit. We know that being committed to you goes beyond our science. It’s about showing up and partnering with the community to work together toward meaningful change. Through active engagement and dialogue with the Warrior community, Vertex is committed to supporting and standing with our communities as we continue to investigate and advance approaches to treating sickle cell disease.

Novo Nordisk is a global healthcare company committed to discovering and developing innovative medicines to help people with serious chronic conditions and rare diseases lead longer, healthier lives. We do so by pioneering scientific breakthroughs, expanding access to our medicines, and working to prevent and ultimately cure life-threatening diseases.

Agios is a biopharmaceutical company that is fueled by connections—with patient communities, healthcare professionals, partners and each other.
Los Angeles
(South, North, Antelope Valley):
Georgeanna Oxford
LA & AV | email Georgeanna Oxford
Phone: (323) 679-3455
Yvonne Jennifer
Bilingual | email Yvonne Jennifer
Phone: (323) 400-3213
Inland Empire
(Loma Linda, SB, Riverside):
Trinesha White
Inland Empire | email Trinesha White
Phone: (909) 377-8896
Yvonne Jennifer
Bilingual | email Yvonne Jennifer
Phone: (323) 400-3213
Central California
(Bakersfield, Fresno, Merced, Atwater):
Shanti Johnson-Harris
Central CA | email Shanti Johnson-Harris
Phone: (559) 360-5001
California
(Bilingual ENG-SPN CHW):
Yvonne Jennifer
Bilingual | email Yvonne Jennifer
Phone: (323) 400-3213
Northern California
(San Francisco, Oakland, Sacramento):
TBD
Phone: (818) 940-0079
Health Educator and Nurse Navigator:
Pat Corley, RN
Click here to email Pat L. Corley
Phone: (562) 889-4229
Los Angeles
(South, North, Antelope Valley):
Georgeanna Oxford
LA & AV | email Georgeanna Oxford
Phone: (323) 679-3455
Yvonne Jennifer
Bilingual | email Yvonne Jennifer
Phone: (323) 400-3213
Inland Empire
(Loma Linda, SB, Riverside):
Trinesha White
Inland Empire | email Trinesha White
Phone: (909) 377-8896
Yvonne Jennifer
Bilingual | email Yvonne Jennifer
Phone: (323) 400-3213
Central California
(Bakersfield, Fresno, Merced, Atwater):
Shanti Johnson-Harris
Central CA | email Shanti Johnson-Harris
Phone: (559) 360-5001
California
(Bilingual ENG-SPN CHW):
Yvonne Jennifer
Bilingual | email Yvonne Jennifer
Phone: (323) 400-3213
Northern California
(San Francisco, Oakland, Sacramento):
TBD
Phone: (818) 940-0079
Health Educator and Nurse Navigator:
Pat Corley, RN
Click here to email Pat L. Corley
Phone: (562) 889-4229

