U M E S S O P Vo l u n t e e Pharmacy The Sickle Cell Disease Students Volunteer at Blood Drive Event the National Folk Festival Blood is Life By Kaylyn Sterling, PharmD Candidate
In honor of September’s National Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month, Dr. Ricky Ward, the Recruiting Coordinator for the School of Pharmacy and Health Professions at UMES, partnered with the Blood Bank of Delmarva to host a Blood Drive at UMES. Dr. Ward and his wife are both carriers of the sickle cell trait ultimately resulting in their two daughters Ahydia and Sokyra, a UMES student, to have sickle cell disease. Motivated by the principle “preach about health equity and bridge the gap Dr. Rick Ward of healthcare disparities in rural communities”, Dr. Ward felt as donates blood if hosting a blood drive would be a great opportunity to raise to save lives. awareness and to help save lives. Dr. Ward understands first-hand how his daughters’ diseases have taught him about being a caregiver and felt the calling to do more within the community. He and his wife formed the Maryland Eastern Shore Sickle Cell Association whose mission is to bring about community awareness and support to those who have sickle cell disease through advocacy, emotional and sometimes financial support. ”My wife and I wanted to help by bringing about community awareness and advocating for families with children who struggle with this unfortunate blood disorder”, Dr. Ward states. “We provide resources about new medical treatment, policy changes, and offer up a support group for those who suffer in silence on our college campuses and the surrounding communities of the Eastern Shore. We wanted to change the emotional experience and lessen the frustration for others who may be fighting this disorder.” The overall result? According to Mrs. Marie Forrestal, Director of Donor Recruitment for the Blood Bank of Delmarva, 16 donors were found. All 16 will be forwarded for further genomic testing based on these results. These red blood cell units are very rare and will all be used for sickle cell patients. (Top left) Sokyra Ward (UMES Biology Major student and patient sickle cell disease) and Shanda Ward (Maryland Eastern Shore Sickle Cell Association) volunteer at the event.
(Bottom left) Drs. Ward, Mrs. Ward, and Ms. Charlett Parsons (PA program) disseminate sickle cell disease literature and play trivia games with attendees to increase awareness.
8 UMES RxTIMES > Fall 2021
By Kaylyn Sterling, PharmD Candidate
On September 10th-12th, 2021, firstyear students volunteered at the National Folk Festival and provided medical assistance at the cultural event. A known staple to the Salisbury community of over 80 years, the National Folk Festival celebrates the many cultures, rituals, crafts, occupations, and foods present in Maryland. Many come from all over the nation to learn, enjoy, and help honor those who have made Maryland the amazing state it is. Luckily no legs were broken (although many “Break-A-Legs” were said) as the students helped work in the First Aid Station to apply what they learned in the classroom to a real-life situation. Other students also got the chance to work backstage and help make the Folk Festival the success it was. The Salisbury Folk Festival celebrated its 80th year in 2021 and pharmacy students performed volunteer work for thousands of attendees over a 3-day event.
