UP FRONT
ASH Directions
ASH Calls on Congress
to Help Address the
Burden of Sickle Cell
Disease
ASH’s officers and a patient advocate participate in the February 9, 2016, Congressional Staff Roundtable on Sickle Cell Disease. Pictured (L to R): Dr. Kenneth C. Anderson, Dr. Susan B. Shurin, Dr. Alexis
Thompson, Mr. Kyle Smith, Dr. Charles S. Abrams, and Dr. Stephanie J. Lee.
ASH is in the midst of a multifaceted initiative to identify the
highest priority actions needed to improve outcomes for individuals
with sickle cell disease (SCD) in the United States and abroad. In
2016, the Society will announce specific programs that will form the
basis of this initiative through ASH’s “Call to Action on SCD.”
On February 9, ASH kicked off the Society’s SCD-focused
advocacy activities by co-hosting a congressional staff roundtable
meeting on SCD with the Sickle Cell Disease Association of
America. The program featured ASH President Dr. Charles Abrams
and ASH Vice President Dr. Alexis Thompson, as well as a sickle
cell patient advocate, Mr. Kyle Smith, who presented the startling
facts about SCD and the burden of the disease. During the hourlong program, new practice-changing guidelines and research was
highlighted and a discussion about legislative strategies to help
improve the lives of individuals with SCD took place.
To continue the momentum, ASH will be hosting a second
briefing for congressional members and staff in conjunction with the
Committee on Government Affairs’ spring Hill Day on March 23,
2016.
For the latest on ASH’s SCD initiatives and the status of the
Society’s related advocacy efforts, visit www.hematology.org/scd.
How I Treat 2nd Edition
is Available
ONS, ASH, and APAO Offer PostMaster’s Foundation in Hematology
How I Treat 2015 – A Compendium
for the Practicing Hematologist, 2nd
Edition, is a collection of top “How I
Treat” articles from the Blood journal,
reviewed and updated to reflect the most
recent scientific and clinically relevant
information.
The compendium features 33 articles
with clinical insights into the following:
• Acute leukemia
• Anemia and red cel