The Mission

It is our mission to support and mobilize the sickle cell community through the establishment of a national registry of volunteers and trained sickle cell advocates.

The Vision

It is the vision of SCD Soldier Network, Inc. that through our national database, we will equip individuals with the training needed to support, educate and advocate on behalf of those affected by sickle cell disease. We envision empowering the sickle cell community by utilizing platforms and opportunities to share the battle that has been fought by the patients, families and supporters of those with the blood disorder. We intend to become the mobilizing unit of the sickle cell community for the purpose of creating a unified voice and effort.  Our volunteers will be trained and activated to support awareness, education and advocacy events hosted by individuals and sickle cell organizations.

The Overview

SCD Soldier Network, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that  recruits volunteers nationally for several levels of support. Our volunteers will be trained in the areas of volunteerism, outreach, sickle cell disease education, awareness and advocacy. Our advocate volunteers will become certified speakers and will provide employer/student body education, conflict resolution and media awareness. Our database is initially being used to provide volunteers to established SCD organizations in support of their awareness events and need for volunteers. As soldiers become qualified, we will open our database to organizations and individuals requesting outreach and advocacy services. Qualified advocates in our database will be used to educate groups, speak to the media and act as liaisons in the areas where they reside. It is our primary goal to provide support for those who are affected by the impact of sickle cell disease and to fill in the gaps where awareness, education advocacy and outreach are lacking. SCD Soldier Network, Inc will convert our volunteers into an armed force of supporters and advocates that are impacting the way people view the blood disorder. It is our greatest hope that through our support network we will be a catalyst for positive changes in the quality of life experienced by those with the blood disorder and their families.

Our Founder

Phyllis Zachery-Thomas received the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America's 2010 Mary H Hunter, Patient Advocate Award for recognition of her advocacy efforts. She was diagnosed with sickle cell anemia at the age of six months old and is currently battling the blood disorder in true soldier style. She has been an advocate for the disease for over ten years.  She has been instrumental in bringing a successful end to conflicts that patients have been involved in with those in the medical community and with their employers. She specializes in conflict resolution, awareness and education of those affected by the disease. She has also been instrumental in describing the need for greater awareness in the hospital setting.  Her candid approach to advocacy is exemplified in the comprehensive advocacy-training program that she is currently developing in order to train those interested in becoming health advocates. Her vast knowledge of the blood disorder and connection with the sickle cell community has afforded her the opportunity to sit on the advisory board of the CDC’s Registry and Surveillance System of Hemoglobinopathies (RuSH) project.  She has co-authored a book that commemorates the centennial of the discovery of sickle cell in the United States. The book titled Sickle Cell Disease 100 Years Later, gives a transparent look at what her battle has been with the disease and how it led her to the formation of SCD Soldier Network, Inc.

In addition to her work as a sickle cell advocate Mrs. Zachery-Thomas has been involved in working hands-on with youth. As a former Sunday school teacher and serving as youth advisor of the NAACP Mrs. Zachery-Thomas knows how to detect leadership abilities in young people. She continues to inspire youth to prepare for leadership roles by serving as a mentor and training young people on the responsibilities of receiving the torch from their adult counterparts.  With the creation of the Tiny Soldiers, children are being empowered to tell others about their battle with sickle cell disease. They are being taught the elementary stages of advocacy and awareness.

Having found her purpose as an educator and advocate, she pours life into those she comes in contact with. She is a wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Those who know her, see the footprints of God in the path that she has traveled.