Alexandria, LA (4/24/2023) – The Sickle Cell Anemia Resource Foundation (SCARF) is hosting its inaugural Rosia Run/Walk-A-Thon in honor of its founder Rosia G. Metoyer. The walk will be held on Saturday, April 29, from 9-12 p.m. at Frank O Hunter Park, 2399 Willow Glen Rd, Alexandria, La 71302.
Rosia began her work within the sickle cell community in 1973 and officially created SCARF in 1974. In preparation for its 50th Anniversary in 2024, SCARF invites the public to attend the inaugural run/walk to support the foundation and Sickle Cell Warriors in Alexandria and the surrounding areas.
“Through this event, we hope to bring awareness to sickle cell disease and honor our founder. To know that SCARF has been serving individuals in our community living with sickle cell disease for almost 50 years because of Mrs. Rosia is amazing,” said Shay Hardison, executive director for SCARF. “SCARF is dedicated to re-engaging with the community after working through the pandemic and being unable to do what we needed. We look forward to seeing everyone out on Saturday and getting involved with the organization. We have some exciting things coming this year and next year as we celebrate 50 years of serving our Sickle Cell Warriors.”
After running or walking the 2k route, participants can visit several vendors on site, get free sickle cell trait testing by the LSUA Department of Allied Health, enjoy music, fellowshipping, and more. SCARF will also honor Metoyer in a special ceremony with her family, who had this to say:
Our family is very blessed that Rosia G. Metoyer is being honored for the many years of service she devoted to SCARF. There were many times when she would personally drive patients to New Orleans and other places to get the necessary treatment that was unavailable locally. She made a constant effort to work with the community to get the job done. She would be so proud to see this day.
The event is free and open to the public. Generous sponsors who helped make this event possible include Emmaus, Vertex, LSU of Alexandria, The Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living, Jaffa 181 & Jaffa 151, Walmart, State Representative Ed Larvadain and last but certainly not lease, the family of Rosia Metoyer.
SCARF will be accepting donations to help support their efforts in care coordination, providing resources, and more for individuals living with sickle cell disease in the community.
Registration before the event is required. Participants can register for the event at www.scarfcenla.org or on-site starting at 8 a.m.
For more information or questions, contact Shay Hardison at 318-314-3070 or email info@scarfcenla.org.
About Sickle Cell:
Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is an inherited red blood disorder that affects 1 in 375 African Americans and 100,000 Americans. Healthy red blood cells are round and move through small blood vessels to carry oxygen throughout the body. The red blood cells in someone with SCD are C-shaped and become stiff and sticky. The sickle shape makes it hard to flow through the blood vessels and prevents oxygen throughout the body. When the sickle cells get stuck in the small blood vessels, it clogs the blood flow and creates a pain crisis.
About SCARF:
The Sickle Cell Anemia Resource Foundation, INC. is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization devoted to making a difference in the community, primarily focusing on eradicating sickle cell disease. SCARF’s mission is to increase the quality of life for individuals with sickle cell disease or the sickle cell trait by providing education, counseling, testing, and support services for them and their families.
