The Sickle Cell Foundation of Tennessee

What The Sickle Cell Foundation of Tennessee does

The Sickle Cell Foundation of Tennessee is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, dedicated to improving the treatment, quality of care, quality of life, and long-term outlook for individuals living with sickle cell disease. Its mission is delivered through research, education, awareness, and advocacy, and the foundation provides a portfolio of direct patient services at no charge, including social services for pediatric-to-adult care transitions, transportation assistance via gas card reimbursements, housing assistance, utility bill assistance, burial assistance, and genetic trait testing and counseling. These services target individuals with sickle cell disease, sickle cell trait carriers, and their caregivers and families, primarily across Tennessee with a dual-metro focus on Memphis and Nashville.

The foundation complements its direct services with community programs, including the annual Sickle Cell Kids Camp held at The Center for Courageous Kids in Scottsville, Kentucky for children ages 7–16 with on-site medical staff and free transportation from Memphis and Nashville, the Youth Ambassadors Program for youth ages 14–17 living with sickle cell disease, and the Mark Walden Memorial 5K Walk/Run honoring a former Memphis meteorologist. It also runs an eight-priority Public Policy and Advocacy agenda at the local, state, and federal levels and the CATER (Capacity Building for Patient-Centered Research) initiative for research dissemination. Operations are supported by an extensive partner ecosystem spanning major academic medical centers (St. Jude, Vanderbilt, Meharry), regional health systems (Methodist Le Bonheur, Regional One Health, Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center), pharmaceutical and gene-therapy developers (Novartis, Vertex, Global Blood Therapeutics, CRISPR Therapeutics, Pfizer, Forma Therapeutics), blood services (American Red Cross, Vitalant), and national advocacy bodies (SCDAA, Sickle Cell Consortium).

The foundation operates as a donation- and grant-funded nonprofit with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status (EIN 26-3954703) and does not charge for services. Revenue figures are not publicly disclosed. Its technology footprint is limited to a WordPress-based informational website with no mobile application, API, or disclosed data infrastructure. The organization is independently governed with no parent company or venture backing, and its marketing and outreach rely on community events, healthcare provider referrals, social media, email newsletters, and local media partnerships.

Name

The Sickle Cell Foundation of Tennessee

Legal name

The Sickle Cell Foundation of Tennessee

Website

https://sicklecelltn.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Sickle Cell Foundation of Tennessee is a Memphis-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing free social services, transportation, housing, utility, burial, and genetic counseling support to individuals and families affected by sickle cell disease across Tennessee, funded through donations, grants, and fundraising events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Patient Advocacy and Support Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Rare Disease & Special Needs Support Organizations (BPAGACAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGAEAH)

Keywords

• Sickle cell support
• Patient advocacy services
• Community health programs
• Genetic counseling services
• Nonprofit health services

Headquarters

HQ city

Memphis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Sickle Cell Foundation of Tennessee is a nonprofit organization that provides free direct-support services and community programs to individuals and families affected by sickle cell disease. Core offerings include social services for pediatric-to-adult care transitions, transportation assistance (gas card reimbursements), housing assistance, utility bill assistance, burial assistance, and genetic trait testing and counseling. The foundation complements these with youth programs (Sickle Cell Kids Camp, Youth Ambassadors Program), annual awareness events, public policy advocacy, and research initiatives such as the CATER patient-centered research dissemination program.

Product overview

The Sickle Cell Foundation of Tennessee is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) health organization offering a portfolio of patient support services and community programs. The core services include social services for care transitions, transportation assistance, housing assistance, genetic trait testing/counseling, utility assistance, and burial assistance. These direct patient services are complemented by community programs such as the annual Sickle Cell Kids Camp, Youth Ambassadors Program, and Mark Walden Memorial 5k Walk/Run event. The foundation also conducts public policy advocacy and research initiatives like the CATER program for patient-centered research dissemination.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Social Services Assistance services helping sickle cell patients transition from pediatric to adult care, including case management and support coordination. Free to eligible patients.
• Transportation Assistance Gas card reimbursements provided to sickle cell patients who have confirmed prior medical appointments. Free to eligible patients.
• Housing Assistance Housing support services for patients living with sickle cell disease. Free to eligible patients.
• Genetic Trait Testing and Counseling Genetic testing and counseling services to determine sickle cell trait or disease status, supporting family planning and disease management decisions. Free to eligible individuals.
• Utility Assistance Utility bill assistance for sickle cell patients in need. Free to eligible patients.
• Burial Assistance Bereavement support providing burial assistance for sickle cell patients and/or children of guardians. Free to eligible families.
• Sickle Cell Kids Camp Annual summer camp program held at The Center for Courageous Kids in Scottsville, Kentucky, for children ages 7-16 living with sickle cell disease, with medical staff on-site and free transportation provided from Memphis and Nashville.
• Youth Ambassadors Program Leadership program for youth ages 14-17 living with sickle cell disease who serve as advocates and share their experiences to raise awareness and provide hope to others affected by the disease.
• Mark Walden Memorial 5K Walk/Run Annual walk/run event honoring Mark Walden, former chief meteorologist at ABC24 Memphis, to raise awareness and support for those affected by sickle cell disease. Established following his death in 2013.
• Public Policy and Advocacy Advocacy initiative covering eight priority areas including medication access, new cures, insurance access, health equity, caregiver rights, and public health funding at local, state, and federal levels.
• CATER (Capacity Building for Patient-Centered Research) Capacity building initiative to create a patient-centered research dissemination model for the sickle cell community.
• Caregiver Support Resources and support services for caregivers of individuals living with sickle cell disease, including toolkits for burnout assessment and mental health support.
• Resources and Educational Materials Collection of helpful guides and information about sickle cell disease and trait for patients, families, and community members.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• St. Jude Children's Research HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor healthcare and research partner providing medical care and support to sickle cell patients. Ambassadors program connects patients with St. Jude's dedicated medical team.
• Vanderbilt University Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic medical center partnership for research, clinical care, and healthcare professional engagement on sickle cell disease.
• Methodist Le Bonheur HealthcarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare system partner hosting community health and wellness fairs with foundation participation.
• Novartis PharmaceuticalscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPharmaceutical partner supporting research, advocacy, and treatment access initiatives for sickle cell disease.
• Vertex PharmaceuticalscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPharmaceutical partner focused on sickle cell disease treatment development and patient access.
• Global Blood Therapeutics (GBT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPharmaceutical company specializing in sickle cell disease treatments and therapies.
• CRISPR TherapeuticscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGene-editing research partner for sickle cell disease cure development and treatment.
• PfizercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPharmaceutical partner co-sponsoring Juneteenth Blood Drive and sickle cell awareness initiatives.
• American Red CrosscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBlood donation partnership for Juneteenth Blood Drive, critical for sickle cell patients who need closely matched blood types.
• VitalantcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBlood services partner for community blood drives supporting sickle cell disease patients.
• Meharry Medical College Sickle Cell CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic medical partnership for research, clinical trials, and healthcare professional training on sickle cell disease.
• Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederally Qualified Health Center providing comprehensive healthcare services to underserved communities including sickle cell patients.
• Regional One HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional healthcare provider serving Memphis and surrounding areas with sickle cell disease services.
• Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (SCDAA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational advocacy organization providing resources, policy support, and awareness initiatives for sickle cell disease.
• Sickle Cell ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPatient advocacy consortium supporting community-based initiatives and awareness campaigns.
• The Center for Courageous KidscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCamp facility hosting the Sickle Cell Kids Camp program for children ages 7-16 with sickle cell disease. Foundation provides free transportation from Memphis and Nashville.
• Memphis Grizzlies (NBA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerProfessional sports team partnership for community visibility and awareness campaigns.
• Wicked Wine Run NashvilleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent partnership for awareness visibility at wine run event, reaching diverse audiences across Tennessee.
• National Civil Rights MuseumminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner hosting Juneteenth Blood Drive event at museum location in Memphis.
• 103.5 WRBO FM (Radio)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerRadio station partner for community outreach and awareness broadcasts.
• Forma TherapeuticscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPharmaceutical partner developing treatments for sickle cell disease.
• Jack and Jill of America (Nashville and Memphis Chapters)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerAfrican American family organization chapters supporting awareness and community outreach.
• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Memphis Alumni ChapterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSorority organization supporting sickle cell awareness and community service initiatives.
• Howard University Alumni Club of Greater MemphisminorGTM or Marketing PartnerUniversity alumni organization supporting community outreach and awareness programs.
• University of Memphis Department of Communications and FilmminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for research, education, and potentially media production.
• Pro-Duffers FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal foundation supporting sickle cell disease awareness initiatives.

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia: State-level sickle cell nonprofit providing patient services, education, and community outreach in Georgia. Closely comparable in scope, services, and patient population focus.
• Sick Cells: Sickle cell advocacy organization focused on elevating patient voices, policy change, and storytelling. Comparable advocacy-first mission intersecting with healthcare partner ecosystems.
• Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (SCDAA): National umbrella organization for sickle cell advocacy, education, and patient support. Directly comparable mission and service categories; the foundation is a regional affiliate/partner within SCDAA's network.
• Sickle Cell Consortium: Patient advocacy consortium supporting community-based sickle cell initiatives and awareness campaigns. The foundation is an active partner; both organizations share the same rare-disease patient-advocacy model.
• American Sickle Cell Anemia Association (ASCAA): Ohio-based sickle cell nonprofit providing patient services, education, genetic counseling, and community programs. Mirrors the foundation's direct-service portfolio for a similar regional sickle cell population.
• Children's Sickle Cell Foundation (CSCF): Pittsburgh-based nonprofit providing social, educational, and financial support to children with sickle cell disease and their families. Directly comparable youth-focused service model.

Broad incumbents

• National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD): Largest US rare-disease umbrella organization providing advocacy, research funding, and patient services across hundreds of conditions. A broader incumbent operating in the same rare-disease support space.
• EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases: National rare-disease policy and advocacy organization. Comparable on the advocacy/policy side of the foundation's mission but operates at federal level rather than regional direct-service delivery.

Regional players

• Cayenne Wellness Center: California-based sickle cell disease nonprofit providing patient navigation, education, and community programs. Comparable service portfolio targeting a sickle cell population in a different region.
• Maryland Sickle Cell Disease Association: State-level sickle cell organization serving Maryland's patient population. Comparable regional direct-service and advocacy model in a different geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-sickle-cell-foundation-of-tennessee

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The Sickle Cell Foundation of Tennessee