Sickle Cell Month launches series of events

National Sickle Cell Month will launch a series of events designed to raise funds for research and awareness about the disease.

The Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia will host a Sickle Cell Candlelight Vigil at 3 p.m. on Sept. 2 the Georgia State Capitol, 206 Washington St.

The vigil is open to the public and is intended to remember people who have died of the disease.

The foundation will also host another event, Walk-A-Mile for Sickle Cell, beginning at 9 a.m. Sept. 19 at its office, 2391 Benjamin E. Mays Dr.

Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disease that affects about 100,000 people in the United States.

Testing is available at the Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia, Monday through Thursday, by appointment.