Cayenne Wellness Center will 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, with Agios as the Ruby Level title sponsor. The event, themed “20/20 Vision: Our Legacy Continues,” marks a significant milestone in the organization's two-decade-long effort to improve the lives of those affected by sickle cell disease.
The summit traces its origins to a patient's demand for better care. Dr. Carolyn Rowley, Executive Director and Founder of Cayenne Wellness Center, recalled that “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.” That warrior, Stephanie Mulkey, and nurse Pat Corley, RN, laid the groundwork for what has grown from a half-day gathering into a five-day conference.
The theme reflects both the past and future. In 1910, Dr. James B. Herrick first described sickle-shaped cells, and now, over a century later, the summit arrives amidst significant therapeutic advances: two FDA-approved gene therapies and three disease-modifying treatments. Dr. Rowley emphasized, “We honor how far we have come, but we also recognize how far we still have to go.”
The summit’s programming addresses the full spectrum of sickle cell care. Wednesday will focus on treatment and research, including sessions on FDA-approved therapies, red blood cell exchange, gene therapy, and community-engaged research, as well as a physician track discussing pain management and perspectives from doctors living with the disease. Thursday will cover wellness and reproductive health, with topics like acupuncture, nutrition, sickle cell trait awareness, and reproductive counseling. Friday will explore living and thriving across the lifespan, addressing transition, dating, careers, caregiving, and financial planning, culminating in an award ceremony and benefit concert. Saturday will delve into mental health, technology, and storytelling, including discussions on artificial intelligence in medicine and personal narratives. The summit concludes Sunday with a visit to the Scar Stories Exhibit, an artistic exploration of sickle cell experiences.
Registration is now open for warriors, families, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and advocates, with options to attend in person or online. Vendor and exhibitor opportunities are also available for community organizations and businesses seeking to connect with attendees.
This anniversary event underscores the ongoing need for education and advocacy in sickle cell disease, which disproportionately affects communities of color. As Dr. Rowley noted, the summit 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.”
