Shares

A local nonprofit is doing its part to give back to those suffering with Sickle Cell Anemia. The Houston-based “As One Foundation” is offering $200 to anyone with Sickle Cell who signs up for the Picnic Health app.

“The new app will allow patients to access their medical records and medical history in one location,” said Picnic Health Patient Partnerships Manager Jackie Gilford. “Our current system is fragmented and broken which is why we provide patients with complete, digital, private medical histories so that you and your doctors always have the full picture of your medical history.”

It will also give the option to donate your information for Sickle Cell research in hopes of finding new treatments.

“Making progress on finding new treatments for rare medical conditions can be challenging and frustrating. Research requires many patients to identify patterns and results. We partner with researchers to gather and anonymize medical information on patients with rare diseases. By leveraging historical records, known as ‘real-world evidence,’ we can contribute to finding new treatments,” Gilford said. 

The As One Foundation is one of many Sickle Cell organizations across the country that will be partnering with Picnic Health to spread the word and help get people to sign up.

“When I was approached to participate, I knew that this was something we had to be a part of. We have so many Sickle Cell Warriors who have been bounced around from doctor to doctor and are not able to keep track of every detail or prognosis,” said As One Foundation Executive Director, Dr. Tomia Austin. “This app is definitely going to be a game-changer in the Sickle Cell community.”

The app is free and claims to “clean up the chaotic mess of disconnected healthcare systems to give everyone completely, organized medical records.”

Anyone with Sickle Cell is welcomed to sign up and download the app and receive $200. The As One Foundation will also receive a donation when you sign up using their link.

“There are a lot of sufferers in Houston but many of them suffer silently out of the fear that they will be ostracized and ridiculed by their peers or places of work,”  said Dr. Austin. “We have to get people talking about Sickle Cell in everyday conversation like cancer. That’s the only way that we will be able to educate others and help those who are currently living with the disease.”

Click here for more information and to download the app.