Understanding Sadness vs Depression & When To Seek Help
Presenter
Kelly R. Fields, LMSW
Vanderbilt Health
Sickle Cell Disease sessions
Free, live conversations for people living with sickle cell disease, their families and the people caring for them.
13 upcoming137 past
Next session
Less Stress, Better Care: Prepare for Tests, Procedures and Results
· 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM ET · Colin Kloock, MD
Past sessions
August 2026
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM ET Living with a rare disease can feel heavy at times. This session will help you recognize when sadness may be depression, understand common signs, and learn how to reach out for support. You are not alone, and help is available. 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM ET Stress, Substance Use, Heat and Travel: Avoiding Sickle Cell Triggers
Presenter
Dr. Lewis Thomas
Blood transfusions can be lifesaving for people with sickle cell disease, but repeated transfusions can lead to iron overload and make compatible blood harder to find. Learn about transfusion types, antibody development, iron monitoring, chelation therapy, and the questions to ask your care team to protect your health and guide treatment decisions. 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM ET How to Get the Most Out of Your In-Person Medical Appointment
Presenter
Tracy Allen, RN, BSN, OCN
Vanderbilt Health
Learn how to prepare for a clinic visit, organize questions, track symptoms, and bring the right medical information. This session helps patients and care partners make appointments more productive, understand what to ask the care team, and leave with clearer next steps for treatment, follow-up, medication changes, tests, and ongoing communication. 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM ET Feeling Overwhelmed? Simple Tools to Reduce Stress and Feel Better
Presenter
Krystal Griffin, MS CMHC
Stress can build quietly until it affects your sleep, energy, mood, pain, relationships, and ability to cope; discover simple, realistic tools you can use in the moment and over time, including breathing, grounding, movement, boundaries, thought reframing, and daily routines that help you feel calmer, more capable, and back in control. 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM ET GI-Specific Nutrition Recommendations for Chronic Disease & Amyloidosis Patients
Presenter
Julia E. Carlson, RD, LDN
Vanderbilt Health
Progress comes from steady habits, not heroic weeks. Learn how top patients build consistency, recover from setbacks, and keep improving over time. We will create a weekly check in, a small goals system, and a reset plan. Leave with a long game routine you can sustain. Includes a reset plan for bad weeks so you bounce back faster.
July 2026
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM ET The Importance of Communicating with Your Health Care Team
Presenter
Edelyn (Ed) Yhip, RN, BSN
City of Hope
Join us to learn effective ways to communicate with your healthcare team. Discover how to clearly share your symptoms, ask questions, and understand your treatment options. This session aims to empower you with the tools to be an active participant in your healthcare journey. 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM ET Taking Control of Your Health Care: Navigating and Maximizing the Patient Portal
Presenter
Tricia Walker, MSN, FNP-C
City of Hope
Join us to learn how to take charge of your health care using your patient portal. This session will guide you through navigating the system effectively, understanding your health records, and communicating with your health care team. Empower yourself with the knowledge to make informed health decisions. 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM ET Become the CEO of Your Healthcare
Presenter
David Gusick, Patient Advocate
Great outcomes rarely happen by accident. Learn the habits highly engaged patients use to stay organized, make informed decisions, coordinate care, and advocate for themselves throughout their healthcare journey. 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM ET Navigating Clinical Trials: A Patient's Perspective
Presenter
Thomas Bartlett, Patient Advocate
Hear from a patient perspective on joining clinical trials for amyloidosis. This session shares practical tips, questions to ask, and ways to weigh risks, benefits, and daily life needs so patients and caregivers can feel more informed and supported. 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM ET Living with Sickle Cell Pain: Practical Strategies for Relief, Care & Daily Life
Presenter
Dr. Lewis Thomas
Join us to learn about new advancements and comprehensive insights into medications for Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). This session will offer a detailed look at how these treatments work, what benefits they offer, and how they can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Our expert speakers will also discuss potential side effects and what you can expect during treatment. This is a great opportunity to ask questions, share your experiences, and connect with others navigating the same path.
June 2026
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM ET The Care Partner Conversation: Open communication and boundaries
Presenter
Samantha De Santiago, RN
University of Chicago
Food does not need to be perfect to help. Learn simple routines that stabilize energy, digestion, and symptoms across long term conditions. We will build a stable week plan, hydration cues, and a grocery short list. Leave with rules you can follow even when you are tired. Includes a grocery short list and a stable week meal rhythm. 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM ET Reinventing Yourself: Who Are You Beyond Your Diagnosis?
Presenter
Krystal Griffin, MS CMHC
Join us for a nurturing session where we explore life beyond sickle cell disease. We'll discuss maintaining and strengthening relationships and how you can rediscover and redefine yourself. This is a safe space to connect and share with others who understand.