You Are More Than Your Diagnosis: Rebuilding Identity and Purpose
Presenter
Akanksha Srivastav, MSW, BSW, LICSW
Tufts Medicine
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
November 2026
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM ET A life-changing diagnosis can affect how you see yourself, your roles, and the future you imagined. Join us to explore ways to reconnect with who you are beyond your condition, adapt to changes, and find new sources of meaning and purpose. Gain practical strategies to rebuild confidence and create a fulfilling life that reflects what matters most to you. 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM ET Chronic Pain and SCD: What It Is, Why It Happens and How to Manage It
Presenter
Ify Osunkwo, MD, MPH
Sickle cell pain doesn't always end when a crisis passes. Ongoing pain can affect sleep, daily activities, relationships, and emotional well-being. Join us to explore ways to manage chronic pain, communicate your needs to your care team, and find support for the challenges others may not see. Gain practical strategies to improve daily life and feel less alone. 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM ET Make the Most of Every Medical Visit: A Patient’s Essential Guide
Presenters
MaryAnn Weitz, MSN, FNP-BC
Tufts Medicine
Raymond Comenzo, MD
Tufts Medicine
A little preparation can make a big difference in every medical visit. Learn practical ways to organize your questions, share symptoms and concerns clearly, keep track of medications and health changes, and understand your next steps. Gain simple strategies to communicate confidently, stay engaged, and make every appointment more productive.
October 2026
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM ET Heart-Healthy Eating During the Holidays
Presenter
Rachel DeLeon, RD, LD, CCTD
Houston Methodist
Holiday meals can be enjoyed while still supporting your heart health. Join us to learn practical ways to make heart-friendly food choices, manage sodium and portions, navigate celebrations, and enjoy favorite traditions without feeling deprived. Gain realistic strategies to help you balance healthy habits with the foods and moments that make the holidays special. 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM ET How Ignoring Age-Related Health Conditions Can Impact Your Health & SCD
Presenter
Ify Osunkwo, MD, MPH
As you age with sickle cell disease, common health issues like blood pressure, kidney changes, pain, sleep, and mood can affect daily life; learn practical steps to track symptoms, plan screenings, ask confident questions, coordinate care, and work with caregivers and clinicians to support your whole health, needs, and priorities over time, too. 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM ET Partnering With Your Care Team: Make the Most of Clinic Visits
Presenter
Van Thai, BSN, RN, CCTC
Houston Methodist
Make every clinic visit count by becoming an active partner in your care. Join us to learn how to prepare for appointments, communicate your concerns, ask meaningful questions, and clarify next steps with your healthcare team. Gain practical strategies to help you feel more prepared, confident, and involved in decisions about your care. 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM ET How to Determine if Health Information is Reliable or Not
Presenter
LaShara A. Davis, PhD, MA
Houston Methodist
Searching for health information can bring reassurance, but it can also lead to fear, confusion, and information overload. Join us to learn how to manage the emotional impact of what you read online, recognize reliable sources, avoid misinformation, and find a healthy balance between staying informed and protecting your peace of mind. 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM ET Biopsychosocial SCD Patient challenges Explained
Presenter
Tonya Brailey
Living with sickle cell disease can affect pain, energy, mood, sleep, school, work, family roles, friendships, and decisions; learn practical ways to name daily challenges, talk with clinicians and loved ones, plan for tough days, pace activities, build supportive routines, and feel more confident asking for what you need while honoring your goals. 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM ET Preparing for Surgery: Practical Steps to Feel Ready and Supported
Presenter
Brenda Merkelz, BSN, RN, CCTC
Houston Methodist
Considering a transplant can bring many questions about what lies ahead. Join us to learn what it takes to prepare for transplant, what patients may experience before and after the procedure, and the commitment involved in recovery and follow-up care. Gain practical insights to help you feel more informed, prepared, and confident about the transplant journey. 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM ET Coping with Lifestyle Changes & Building Your Support System
Presenter
Marquita Gauthier, LCSW
Houston Methodist
A diagnosis can change daily routines, relationships, and the life you once knew. Join us to learn practical ways to adjust to lifestyle changes, cope with difficult emotions, and build a support system you can rely on. Gain strategies to help you feel more connected, supported, and confident as you navigate life with a rare or chronic condition. 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM ET Chronic Pain Without Letting Pain Become Your Whole Identity
Presenter
Ify Osunkwo, MD, MPH
Living with sickle cell pain can affect plans, relationships, work, school, and self-image, but it does not have to define every part of you; join a warm conversation on coping with flares, naming needs, pacing daily life, asking for support, and protecting joy, identity, and connection while working with your care team and loved ones at home. 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM ET Clinical Trial Myths: What Patients and Families Need to Know Now
Presenter
Michael Ragunton, MBA, CCRC
Houston Methodist
Considering a clinical trial can bring questions, concerns, and plenty of conflicting information. Join us as we separate common myths from facts, explain what participation really involves, and discuss questions to ask before deciding. Gain reliable information to help you and your family feel more informed and confident when exploring clinical trials.