Cayenne Wellness Center Hosts 17th Annual Sickle Cell Disease Educational Summit with Focus on Pain Management

Cayenne Wellness Center announced its 17th Annual Sickle Cell Disease Educational Summit, a four-day hybrid event scheduled for September 17–20, 2025, in San Jose, CA and online. The summit, themed "Let's Talk About Pain: The Seen and Unseen," aims to advance education, advocacy, and awareness for sickle cell disease and trait, targeting healthcare professionals, educators, social workers, students, individuals with sickle cell disease, families, and the broader community. With over 100 virtual and 200 in-person attendees expected, the event underscores the growing need for comprehensive sickle cell education and support.

The agenda spans four days, each dedicated to critical aspects of sickle cell care. Day one focuses on FDA-approved therapies, emerging treatments, and curative options, providing attendees with the latest medical advancements. Day two covers advocacy, emergency room experiences, incarcerated care, nurse training, sickle cell trait education, newborn screening, and includes a Celebration of Life ceremony. Day three features keynote sessions, tributes to distinguished leaders, and specialized tracks for nurses, patients, and psychosocial considerations. Day four concludes with additional keynote sessions and two focused tracks: Patient-Focused and Physician-Focused, highlighting both lived experiences and clinical advancements.

A groundbreaking highlight is the "Doctor to Doctor: What It's Like to Live With and Treat Sickle Cell" session on September 19, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM PST at Scott's in Oakland, CA. This physician track event brings together nine doctors living with sickle cell disease to share their dual perspectives as patients and clinicians. Their stories aim to challenge the healthcare community to rethink approaches to pain, trust, and treatment, potentially driving systemic changes in care standards. This session represents a unique opportunity to bridge gaps between medical expertise and personal experience, fostering empathy and innovation in treatment protocols.

Other summit highlights include a tribute to "Golden Warriors" aged 70 and above living with sickle cell disease, celebrating their resilience and longevity. The SCAR Stories Exhibit transforms visible and invisible scars into powerful works of art, honoring the strength and identity of sickle cell warriors. A private screening of J Snow's documentary "You Look Fine" captures the hidden struggles of living with the disease, while an awards and benefit concert featuring R&B vocalist Dee Dee Simon aims to inspire and uplift the community. Attendees can register and book accommodations at https://cayennewellness.org/scd-educational-summit-2025.

The implications of this summit are profound for patients, healthcare providers, and policymakers. By addressing both the clinical and psychosocial dimensions of sickle cell disease, particularly pain management, the event could lead to improved patient outcomes, reduced healthcare disparities, and enhanced advocacy efforts. The inclusion of physicians with lived experience may catalyze a shift toward more patient-centered care models, influencing medical education and practice standards globally. For the sickle cell community, this gathering offers a platform for shared learning, healing, and collective action, reinforcing the importance of holistic support systems in managing chronic conditions.