Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare Receives $2 Million Donation to Advance the Future of Sickle Cell Disease in the Mid-South

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare announced a $2 million donation to its Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center program from The Belz Foundation to improve outcomes and the lives of individuals with sickle cell disease in the Mid-South.
 
Memphis is home to one of the largest populations of individuals living with sickle cell disease in the United States. One in every 287 African American babies born in Shelby County will have sickle cell disease, while the national average is one in 350.
 
“Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare is committed to improving the health of anyone who walks through our doors, regardless of their ability to pay,” said Michael Ugwueke, president and CEO of Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare. “This gift is the largest we have received this year and is especially impactful during this unprecedented pandemic.”
 
The donation will help fund clinical research studies to develop better treatment options, expand resources to address patient’s social needs, and enhance education and outreach resources to increase the number of physicians and scientists specializing in sickle cell disease.
 
“Too often, social determinants of health create barriers to receiving proper medical treatment leading to health disparities, said Ugwueke. “With this gift, in addition to advancing the clinical care we provide in our Center and across our community, this gift will provide critical social support resources to improve access to care and support the complete health of patients with sickle cell disease.”
 
The Methodist Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center is a collaborative partnership of healthcare allies in the community. Dr. Kenneth Ataga, director of the Center for Sickle Cell Disease at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, sets evidence-based care models for adults at Methodist Healthcare, Regional One Health, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The goal of the center is to develop a cohesive, quality, community-wide approach to sickle cell care and curative treatments for one of the largest and most complex patient populations in the country.
 
To address the challenge of care breakdown for young adult patients, Methodist established a strong and ongoing partnership with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. As a result, more than 90% of St. Jude patients with sickle cell transition to Methodist’s Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center for treatment as young adults.
 
“Our family has a long history of giving back to our Memphis community. Partnering with the Methodist Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center is a natural fit to further our commitment to enhancing the lives of our neighbors through high-quality care,” said Ron Belz, chairman, The Belz Foundation. “With this donation, we hope to assist healthcare leaders at Methodist, St. Jude and UTHSC in developing advanced care for patients with sickle cell disease where it is needed most – in Memphis and the Mid-South, with the Transition Clinical program to include everyone who needs these services.”
 
The donation will create the Belz Foundation Sickle Cell Fund at the Methodist Healthcare Foundation. In addition, the Center’s Infusion and Emergency Care Program and its medical directorship will be named in honor of the gift.
 
The Methodist Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center has previously received support from many generous individuals, foundations, and corporate partners, including significant support from Mike and Mary Conley, Orion Federal Credit Union, Jim McGehee, and the Plough Foundation. 
 
To donate to the Belz Foundation Sickle Cell Fund, visit www.methodisthealth.org/givetosicklecell or call 901.478.0704.