Cayenne Wellness Center has announced the 5th Annual Hispanic Heritage Month Educational Summit, scheduled for September 15-16, 2026, at the Marriott Long Beach Downtown in Long Beach, California, with an online attendance option. The two-day event is designed for healthcare professionals, educators, social workers, students, Hispanic and Latino individuals and families affected by sickle cell disease, and the broader community. The summit will unite sickle cell warriors, caregivers, healthcare professionals, advocates, community leaders, organizations, and families to shed light on sickle cell disease, with a specific focus on the unique experiences and challenges faced by Hispanic and Latino individuals and families.
The timing of the summit is significant, as it coincides with National Sickle Cell Awareness Month and the opening of Hispanic Heritage Month on September 15. This convergence provides a timely opportunity to bring greater visibility to the intersection of culture, health, identity, and sickle cell disease. Programming will explore the relationship between country of origin, genetic background, and community-centered sickle cell education, while providing practical tools to help warriors advocate for themselves and navigate sickle cell disease, comorbidities, and related health concerns.
A central part of the summit will be the inclusion of lived experience through a warrior-led roundtable, creating space for individuals living with sickle cell disease to share their perspectives and experiences directly with attendees. The program will also address the important transition from pediatric to adult care, and feature breakout discussions focused on men's health and sickle cell disease, women's health and sickle cell disease, international sickle cell warriors, and domestic and international providers and caregivers.
Beyond educational sessions, the summit aims to strengthen relationships across the sickle cell community. Vendor and exhibitor tables are available for community-based organizations, businesses, healthcare organizations, authors, artists, educational institutions, industry partners, and others interested in sharing resources and connecting directly with summit participants. Through education, storytelling, advocacy, resource-sharing, and community connection, the summit aims to expand awareness of sickle cell disease within Hispanic and Latino communities and strengthen pathways to culturally responsive information, resources, support, and care.
The summit is supported by key sponsors, including Beam Therapeutics, Inc. as a GOLD sponsor, and Chiesi USA, Inc. and Global Rare Diseases as SILVER sponsors. Registration is now open for sickle cell warriors, families, caregivers, healthcare professionals, advocates, community organizations, and other interested attendees. Interested parties can register at https://cayennewellness.org/espanol/hispanic-heritage-virtual-seminar-2026. Vendor and exhibitor opportunities are also available for organizations and businesses interested in connecting with attendees, with reservations available at https://tinyurl.com/HHVENDOR2026.
Cayenne Wellness Center and Children's Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 2000 and dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals living with sickle cell disease in California. The organization provides expert, unbiased, and comprehensive care while promoting education, advocacy, and awareness for healthcare providers, patients, and the wider community. With a strong grassroots network and a commitment to equity, Cayenne Wellness continues to be a trusted leader in advancing sickle cell support and resources.
