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. The event, themed “20/20 Vision: Our Legacy Continues,” will bring together patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, researchers, and advocates for five days of education, connection, and wellness activities. Agios serves as the Ruby Level title sponsor.
The summit originated from a patient's demand for better care. According to Dr. Carolyn Rowley, Executive Director and Founder of Cayenne Wellness Center, the event began because a “Warrior” named Stephanie Mulkey and her nurse, Pat Corley, RN, sought more awareness and education from healthcare providers. Though Mulkey passed away before the first seminar, her vision persisted. What started as a half-day gathering has expanded into a multi-day conference, reflecting the growth of the sickle cell community and the evolution of treatment options.
This year’s summit arrives at a pivotal time. Dr. Rowley noted that since Dr. James B. Herrick first described sickle-shaped cells in 1910, the medical landscape has transformed dramatically. Today, two FDA-approved gene therapies and three disease-modifying treatments exist, alongside a robust pipeline of new therapies. “We honor how far we have come, but we also recognize how far we still have to go,” she said, emphasizing the summit’s role in celebrating progress while advocating for continued advancement.
The summit’s programming spans five days, each focused on distinct aspects of sickle cell disease. On Wednesday, September 16, sessions will cover FDA-approved and emerging therapies, red blood cell exchange, gene therapy, and community-engaged research. An evening Physician Track will address pain management and feature “Real Talk, Real Pain: Perspectives from Physicians Living with Sickle Cell Disease.”
Thursday, September 17, will center on wellness, sickle cell trait, and reproductive health. Attendees can explore acupuncture, acupressure, sound healing, reflexology, nutrition, and reproductive counseling. Additional sessions will address insurance, communicating with providers, and gene therapy.
Friday, September 18, will focus on living and thriving across the lifespan, covering topics such as transition, dating, marriage, careers, aging, caregiving, financial planning, and men’s and women’s health. The day will conclude with an award ceremony, dinner, and benefit concert.
Saturday, September 19, will address mental health, technology, and storytelling. Discussions will include trauma, depression, anxiety, grief, wellness, and the use of artificial intelligence in sickle cell care. A session titled “The Real Real: Down-Home Conversation on Life with Sickle Cell Disease” will offer personal perspectives.
The summit will conclude on Sunday, September 20, with a visit to the Scar Stories Exhibit, an artistic display of experiences related to sickle cell disease. Throughout the event, attendees can visit vendors, exhibitors, and authors, access community resources, and participate in networking and wellness activities.
Registration is now open at https://cayennewellness.org/scd-educational-summit-2026/. Organizations and businesses can reserve vendor or exhibitor tables via https://tinyurl.com/SVENDOR2026.
Cayenne Wellness Center and Children’s Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in 2000, is dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals with sickle cell disease in California. The organization provides education, advocacy, and support for patients, healthcare providers, and communities. More information is available at CayenneWellness.org.
