Shakita Alford is a tough young survivor committed to recruiting more than 1,000 participants to this year's 21st annual Sickle Cell Road Race/Walk at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 8 in Welcome All park in College Park, Ga.

A key fund-raiser for the Sickle Cell Foundaion of Georgia, the event sponsored by South Fulton Running Partners generates funds to send children to Camp New Hope, a five-day retreat where young people ages 6-16 with sickle cell can learn about living with the disease. A fourth grader at Capitol View Elementary School in Atlanta and a Camp New Hope alumnus, Shakita wants to help raise funds so many others can attend this summer.

“Kids learn some important things about life with sickle cell when they attend Camp New Hope,” Alford said. “I want as many people as possible to participate in the road race/walk so all the children who need to go to camp this summer will be able to.”

Sickle cell is one of the most common genetic diseases in the United Staes. More than 5,000 Georgians have sickle cell, causing their bodies to produce abnormally shaped hemoglobin cells. The disease causes recurrent pain, increased infections and other complications that often require emergency medical treatment. The disease is found mostly among Africn-Americans, but sickle cell has been diagnosed in every race.

First held in 1979, entrants in the Sickle Cell Road Race/Walk have helped raise more than $200,000 to send hundreds of young people to camp.

“During the last 20 years, the average life expectancy for sickle cell patients has increased from 19 to 45 years old,” said Jean Brannan, president and chief operating officer of the Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia Inc. “Part of the reasonfor this increased longevity is the education those diagnosed with sickle cell receive at places all over the nation, such as Camp New Hope.”

Entrants can register online at ActiveUSA.com, or obtain a list of metro Atlanta locations where registration forms are available by calling 404-755-1641. Those registered earn the official 2000 Annual Sickle Cell Road Race/Walk T-shirt. Trophies will be awarded to winners.

A pre-race party free to registered runners, walkers and supporters will be at Welcome All Park Friday, April 7 from 6:30-9 p.m. They will enjoy a spaghetti dinner and live music. Young Shakita will attend to greet party guests on behalf of the Sickle Cell Foundation.

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