Sickle Cell Services of COBRA

This is a major service of the Agency.  The concerns for Sickle Cell Community Awareness, Education, Testing, Counseling and Treatment were brought by William “Bill” Saunders to The Charleston County Comprehensive Health Planning Board of Trident United Way and The Community.  He also informed the community through his WPAL Radio Talk Show formed and hosted by him.

Funding for a Model Community-Based Sickle Cell Services was funded by the Federal Government as one (1) of twenty-four (24) programs nationally from 1970-1985. 

COBRA’s Federal Funds became the Block Grant Dollars given to South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control under President Ronald Reagan. Three (3) small subcontracts were funded by DHEC: the COBRA Sickle Cell Program, the Clark Sickle Cell Foundation, and the Barksdale Sickle Cell Foundation. These entities were already providing a full scope of services at some level, so these three programs were sub-contracted supported.  The COBRA Program continued to partner with the Orangeburg Sickle Cell Foundation in providing education, testing, and counseling services.  They were providing patients with Sickle Cell Disease excellent transportation and support as needed in the local area as well as to and from Georgia.  COBRA helped the Orangeburg Foundation to become independent when the State Sickle Cell Funds were first significantly increased.  COBRA shared the funding and six (6) of the sixteen (16) counties covered with them.

The Sickle Cell Services of COBRA initiated State funding for a Pilot Newborn Screening Program from 1985 to 1987.  The partners were COBRA Agency Sickle Cell Services, MUSC Pediatric and Genetics led MUSC’s involvement and the State Department of Health’s Bureau Laboratories.  Statewide Newborn Screening of all babies delivered in hospitals began July 1987.  Parents are informed and assisted in understanding significant results.  And urged to explain results to child when old enough or seek help in having the child understand how to avoid or minimize transference thereof.Empowerment Services for patients, their families, providers and other interested persons continue.  They enhance living with sickle disorders and continue through in-person and/or various media sites. Patient emergency support and emotional services are supported as long as contributions are available.