AS ONE FOUNDATION
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Mission Statement
The mission of the As One Foundation is to empower families globally, delivering life-saving sickle cell education.
About This Cause
Charity established by NFL wide-receiver, Devard Darling in memory and honor of his late identical twin brother, Devaughn Darling, who died in off-season work outs at Florida State University due to exertion, dehydration and sickle cell trait also know as exertional sickling. The As One Foundation is a global leader in hemoglobinopathy education. We provide in-person and digital educational opportunities geared towards raising awareness of sickle cell trait and disease, empowering patients to be proactive advocates for their health, and attracting sickle cell allies beyond the affected blood disorder population. We serve four distinct populations with our programming: 1. Patients - sickle cell disease and trait patients 2. Caregivers/Families - caregivers (often sickle cell trait patients themselves) and family members of people living with sickle cell trait and disease 3. Community members - the broader community that is eager to learn about sickle cell and those who may have never heard about sickle cell 4. Health care providers - nurses, physicians, physical therapist, occupational therapist, and other health care providers seeking to expand their knowledge on sickle cell. The As One Foundation serves by the philosophy that sickle cell is experienced by not just the patient, but the whole family, as well. Therefore, our service delivery aims to be relevant to the entire sickle population, the patient, the caregiver, the family, the providers, and the ally. Our unique approach empowers those that live with sickle cell trait and disease to thrive during their lifetime, while challenging the broader community to learn about this genetic condition that affects approximately 90,000 - 100,000 Americans living with sickle cell disease and 4 million Americans living with sickle cell trait. The Foundation’s mission, to empower families globally, delivering life-saving sickle cell education, is executed acknowledging SCT and sickle cell disease (SCD) as factors existing not independent of each other, but because of each other. SCD births are often the result of procreation between two SCT parents, while any combination of at least one SCD parent will result in a SCT birth in most instances. About the Darling Dash: The Darling Dash is an annual 10K/5K/1K race that supports the As One Foundation. Since 2011, this memorial race has honored the memory of Sickle Cell Trait Warrior, Devaughn Darling, who died of sickle cell trait exertion. The 13th Annual Darling Dash will be held 8am, Saturday, February 26, 2023, at Stude Park in Houston, Texas. This family event welcomes all runners/walkers and their supporters in the Houston area as well as virtual supporters nationwide and beyond. Proceeds from the Darling Dash fund sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait education and awareness programs to help further the mission of the As One Foundation to empower families globally, delivering life-saving sickle cell education such as our premiere programming such as: * Operation Hydration - a research-based program that covers the dangers of exertional sickling and the importance of proper hydration. Whether we are presenting to middle school student athletes or collegiate athletic trainers, the program is tailored to add value to the participant. * Back to S.C.H.O.O.L (Sickle Cell Health On Our Level) Awareness Day - a one-day event hosted at high schools that increases the students’ knowledge and perception of sickle cell trait and disease such as the fact that sickle cell trait and sickle cell disease are blood conditions, not independent of each other, but rather exists because of each other. Sickle disease births are prospectively the result of procreation between two sickle cell trait parents and any combination of at least one sickle cell disease parent results in a sickle cell trait birth at best. * Blood drives - Sickle cell patients can need multiple blood transfusions each month to manage their conditions and address complications. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, local blood banks were forced to cancel blood drives which resulted in a nationwide shortage. The As One Foundation partners with local blood banks to host blood drives and educate participants on sickle cell trait and sickle cell disease. * Sickle Cell Trait 360 (SCT360) virtual Continuing Medical Education (CME) conference - provides continuing education credits for doctors and nurses. It aims to educate the participants on the disorder of sickle cell trait along the spectrum of sickle hemoglobinopathies, integrate risk factors of sickle cell trait and other sickle cell hemoglobinopathies into clinical practice, and enhance skills of the inter-professional team to encourage collaborative care. Overall, our programming centers the stories of those living with sickle cell trait and disease and educates the communities they are a part of and engage with.