John Rice Carter: “I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Sickle Cell Disease and Other…”

“I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Sickle Cell Disease and Other Heritable Blood Disorders Research, Surveillance, Prevention, and Treatment Act. As a pharmacist for over four decades, I have seen firsthand the heartbreaking toll sickle cell disease takes on patients and their families. Sickle cell disease is a destructive disease, attacking red blood cells in the body and causing patients strong episodes of pain over time. Unfortunately, Georgia is home to one of the largest sickle cell disease populations in the country, which is why it is so important that we act quickly to save lives and prevent further pain. The bill before us today reauthorizes critical sickle cell disease programs so that patients have the support and resources they need to battle this terrible disease. I have always and will always commit to putting patients first, and I believe these programs do just that. Mr. Speaker, I thank Dr. Burgess for working on this important issue, and I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.”