World Sickle Cell Day (WSCD) is celebrated on June 19th of each year. It was created by the United Nations by resolution and it is recognized globally.

Sickle-cell anaemia is one of the world’s foremost genetic diseases, that it has severe physical, psychological and social consequences for those affected and their families, and that in its homozygote form (an organism with identical pairs of genes) it is one of the most lethal genetic diseases.

The main emphasis of WSCD is to educate medical professionals, care givers, and associated personnel about prevention, research, and resources to minimize the complications due to sickle cell disease. June 19th is devoted mainly to raising awareness through talks, seminars, pamphlets, literature and consultations.

Show your support of World Sickle Cell Day by attending the Los Angeles Cell-a-bration on Saturday, June 22, 2013 at the 2nd AME Church, 5500 South Hoover, Los Angeles CA 90037 from 10am-2pm. Learn the importance of being as healthy as you can be. For those guests who do not have Sickle Cell Disease or the Trait, you can help to assist the Sickle Cell Community by donating blood for those on transfusion therapy and by becoming a marrow donor.

Help Us to Help Others!

Visionary Concepts Global MGMT in partnership with Barbados Tourism Authority will host its 1st Annual All Star Swing for Change Golf Tournament Weekend in the beautiful island of Barbados from June 18-23, 2013 to benefit The K.I.S. Foundation and The Hope Foundation.

This fun-filled weekend of exquisite events have been designed to raise funds and public awareness for Sickle Cell and Lupus Research. Attendees and Sponsors will enjoy a Celebrity Grill Competition comprised of two groups of eight celebrities and pro-athletes competing to raise funds for Sickle Cell. The competition will be judged by the local celebrity chef and TV host, Peter Edey. The Grill Competition is an innovative and entertaining event that will be a fun and engaging way of raising both money and awareness.

The Celebrity Golf Tournament’s primary focus is to engage the golf community, pro-athletes, celebrities and friends love of golf, to contribute to finding a cure for Sickle Cell and Lupus. A-list clientele competing in this golf tournament will not only create entertainment for participants and viewers, but also harness their influence within pop-culture to garner more awareness and funds for Sickle Cell and Lupus research.

The Benefit Gala is a high-profile red carpet event consisting of a sit down dinner, silent auction, VIP Celebrity Gifting Lounge, live entertainment and an awards night. The awards night will be held in honor of the company providing the most continuous support and contributions to The Hope Foundation in support of Sickle Cell and Lupus research, and The K.I.S. Foundation, dedicated to informing and educating the public about Sickle Cell Disease.

Join us in supporting and generating awareness for these significant causes while celebrating everyone’s contributions, donations and achievements. For more information on how to participate in this event please visit: www.SwingForChange.com

Come out and get informed about Cancer, Diabetes, Sickle Cell Disease, Heart Disease, and other medical issues that affect our communities.

 

The K.I.S. Foundation, Inc. is thrilled to announce that it will host two major special events in 2013 that will bring together members of the entertainment industry, businesses, families and Sickle Cell patients.

First join us as we celebrate the 10 year anniversary of “KiKi Shepard’s Celebrity Bowling Challenge” on Saturday, September 28, 2013 at PINZ Entertainment Center, Los Angeles, California.

Then, in the Winter of 2013 The K.I.S. Foundation, Inc. will host its first ever, “Break the Sickle Cycle” Benefit Concert at a beautiful theater in the Los Angeles, California area. Dawnn Lewis, Chairwoman & KISF Board Member invites, “the community to enjoy an evening filled with a wide variety of Celebrity Entertainment from Grammy, Emmy, and Tony award winning artists and actors as they celebrate through song, dance, spoken word, and acting, all the while raising awareness about Sickle Cell Disease.”

These highly anticipated events have been designed to educate the public about this fatal disease, and to stimulate continued dialogue about how it is spread, it’s debilitating effects, ways of prevention, bone marrow transplant surgery, and, the need to get tested now! 

Sponsorship and Exhibitor opportunities are available. For more information please email: info@thekisfoundation.org

Visit our Photo Gallery to see our supporters.

Join us at Pips on LaBrea located at 1356 LaBrea Avenue, Los Angeles, CA this Wednesday, December 12, 2012 for Dinner, a fabulous Auction, and Holiday Giving as we continue to raise awareness of SICKLE CELL DISEASE and SPREAD SOME HOLIDAY JOY to local SCD patients and families.

Live Entertainment by Yvette Cason, Laurnea, Norwood Young, Eric Stuart, and Martgol Beasley & The Jam Session.

Tickets are $40 and a portion of the cost of admission will be used to purchase holiday gift cards for SCD families in the Los Angeles area.

Help us to spread some joy to the Sickle Cell community this holiday season.

This event has been made possible in part to our Sponsors: Mercedes-Benz of Beverly Hills, Derrick Pipkens, and Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.

To learn more about how to purchase your tickets visit our Events page or get your very own copy of the party invitation from the “Download KISF Materials” section of the website.

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Discovered in the United States over 100 years ago, sickle cell disease (SCD) statistics are staggering.  In the US, one in 2,500 newborn babies has the disease and approximately 54,000 babies are born each year with sickle cell trait. There are approximately 80,000 Americans with sickle cell disease and 3.5 million with sickle cell trait and related disorders.  Sickle Cell Anemia (SCA) is an inherited and lifelong condition. While there is no generally applicable cure for SCD, several promising developments have occurred to improve the quality of life and survival of SCD patients. The K.I.S. Foundation also provides financial support to research institutions in the quest to find a universal cure for SCD.

Author: Nita Thompson

This year’s Celebrity Bowling Challenge was fun, entertaining, and educational. Sponsors included UPS, Herbalife, Donald & Betina Driver, Grey’s Anatomy, NCIS, The Bold and the Beautiful, The Soulman presented by Cedric the Entertainer & Lorna Kyles, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, SEIU Local 721, Verizon, Mercedes-Benz of Beverly Hills, Vanessa Bell Calloway & Dr. Anthony Calloway, Aldis Hodge & Arjay Smith “Leverage/Perception”, Talking with Wendell.com, Premier Concepts PR, Dana Da Designated Hata, and PINZ Entertainment Center.

Guests dined on meals provided by In Every Way Gourmet, Gwens Specialty Cakes & Catering, and from Hoodie Award Winner Bludsos BBQ.

The K.I.S. Foundation thanked all of its sponsors with a lighthearted Awards Ceremony, and presented Specialty Awards to Salli Richardson-Whitfield & Dondré Whitfield for their efforts in Raising Awareness of Sickle Cell Disease, and to Dawnn Lewis as KISF Board Member Extraordinaire 2012.

KISF Special Correspondent, Sabah interviewed guests on the Red Carpet, while Dorian Missick aka DJ Tailwind Turner helped to set the tone in the bowling alley with some of today’s hottest music. So much so that at one point both bowlers and guests were partying in between frames. Here’s and inside peak into KiKi’s Celebrity Bowling Challenge.

“This year’s event was simply amazing and everyone had such a wonderful time” says KISF Executive Director, KiKi Shepard.

Bragging rights to this year’s Celebrity Bowling Challenge were awarded to an anonymously sponsored team lead by Damian Hall, Bengue’, and Peter Wise for winning 1st Place. Followed by Mercedes-Benz of Beverly Hills coming in at 2nd Place.

The CBC tournament was followed by a wildly entertaining Celebrity Lightning Round. 1st Place Celebrity Male winner went to Damian Hall and 1st Place Celebrity Female went to Dawnn Lewis.

Be sure to visit our Photo Gallery to see more event highlights.

Author: LaTonia Robinson

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

A lovely afternoon was had by all on July 29th in Lawndale, California for Sunday Brunch at the home of Chris and Chuck Morris.

The day started with a signature cocktail, champagne and a lively Q&A dialogue lead by Ms. KiKi Shepard, Founder & Executive Director of The K.I.S. Foundation, Inc. Guests learned about Sickle Cell Disease; its debilitating effects; ways of prevention; how to get tested for the Sickle Cell trait; the importance of becoming a blood donor; current medical treatments available; and how they can become more involved in The K.I.S. Foundation’s efforts of raising awareness Sickle Cell Disease.

As the luncheon continued a special gourmet meal was prepared by celebrity Chef Ameera, preceded by a prayer of thanks from K.I.S. Foundation’s Board Member, Obba Babatundé.  The gaiety included an inspirational song sung by, The K.I.S. Foundation’s Board Member, Dawnn Lewis and a silent auction. The day was topped off with live music from Saxophonist extraordinaire Panther, while guests enjoyed Chris Morris’s famous peach cobbler pie and ice cream.

The guests, including respected celebrity actor, Art Evans, community leaders, business sponsors, as well as, old and new friends said that the were looking forward to seeing everyone at KiKi Shepard’s 9^th Annual “Celebrity Bowling Challenge” on September 21^st in Studio City at PINZ Entertainment Center @ 8pm (red carpet @ 6:30pm).  This event will support the programs and services of The K.I.S. Foundation. Tickets and Sponsorship packages are still available, so book NOW!

For more information please email: info@thekisfoundation.org

Author: Babe Evans