The third full week in September of each year shall be known and designated as “Sickle Cell Awareness Week”. Sickle cell disease is a genetic disease in which a person‘s body produces abnormally shaped red blood cells that resemble a crescent and that do not last as long as normal round red blood cells, which leads to anemia. It is recommended to the people of the state that the week be appropriately observed through activities that will increase awareness of sickle cell disease and efforts to improve treatment options for patients.