#sickle cell disease #Viola Davis #FSCDR

Viola Davis Headlines the 20th Annual Sickle Cell Disease Research Symposium

The Foundation for Sickle Cell Disease Research (FSCDR) is thrilled to announce that the renowned actress and producer, Viola Davis, will be the keynote speaker at their upcoming 20th Annual Sickle Cell Disease Research and Educational Symposium. This significant event is scheduled to take place from June 5 to June 7, 2026, at the Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Davis, a celebrated figure in the entertainment industry and a multi-talented EGOT award winner, will speak on June 7 at 12 PM EST. Her participation is seen as a powerful means to elevate awareness regarding sickle cell disease—a hereditary condition that affects over 100,000 people in the United States alone.

Lanetta Bronté, MD, MPH, MSPH, the President and CEO of FSCDR, praised Davis, stating, “Viola Davis is one of the most influential and respected storytellers in the world. Her presence at this milestone Symposium represents the power of storytelling, action, and visibility in advancing awareness for sickle cell disease and the individuals living with it every day.” Davis’s involvement underlines her commitment to social issues and her long-standing philanthropic efforts through her Davis Tennon Foundation.

This year’s symposium, themed “The Golden Age,” aims to gather together an impressive array of physicians, researchers, healthcare professionals, industry leaders, community supporters, and Sickle Cell Warriors to explore pressing clinical and translational matters related to sickle cell disease. Key topics will encompass precision therapeutics, patient-centered endpoints, access to care, and public health strategies.

Scheduled highlights of the symposium include notable appearances from former MLB All-Star Alex