Our Vision for a Healthier Future
We founded PharmaSickle™ to bridge the gap between clinical research and patient experience. Our mission is to transform the landscape of sickle cell disease through data-driven innovation and collaborative advocacy.
By connecting patients, caregivers, and researchers, we are building a community that leads the charge in health equity. We believe that with the right tools and support, every individual can thrive and every family can find hope.
Understanding Sickle Cell Disease
A Lifelong Condition Affecting Thousands of Individuals and Families
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a group of inherited blood disorders that affects approximately 100,000 people in the United States and millions worldwide. Individuals living with sickle cell disease produce abnormal red blood cells that can become rigid and crescent-shaped, restricting blood flow and reducing the body's ability to deliver oxygen effectively.
The disease can cause severe pain episodes, organ damage, stroke, infections, vision complications, and other serious health challenges. While advances in treatment have improved outcomes, many individuals continue to face significant barriers to care throughout their lives.
Sickle cell disease disproportionately impacts individuals of African descent, though it also affects people of Hispanic, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, South Asian, and other backgrounds.
The impact extends beyond the patient, affecting caregivers, families, healthcare systems, employers, schools, and communities.
Why PharmaSickle™ Was Created
PharmaSickle™ was founded by Dr. Roz McCarthy and Dr. Bryan McCarthy, PharmD, a mother-and-son team uniquely positioned to understand sickle cell disease from both the patient and caregiver perspective.
Dr. Bryan McCarthy is not only a healthcare professional, he is also a sickle cell patient who understands firsthand the lived experience, daily challenges, healthcare barriers, and emotional realities of navigating this disease.
Dr. Roz McCarthy brings the perspective of a mother, caregiver, advocate, and systems builder who understands the gaps in services, resources, education, and support that families often face while caring for a loved one with sickle cell disease.
Together, they bring insight that many organizations do not have: the combined experience of living with sickle cell disease, caring for someone with the disease, navigating healthcare systems, and identifying where better support, better information, and better data are urgently needed.
PharmaSickle™ was created to bridge those gaps by advancing education, community engagement, health equity, research, advocacy, and innovation that centers the voices and experiences of patients and families.
Mission & Vision
Our Mission
PharmaSickle™’s mission is to support patients, caregivers, and the sickle cell community through education, community, data, and innovation. We are dedicated to empowering every individual with the knowledge and tools they need to navigate their healthcare journey with confidence and dignity.
Our Vision
We envision a future where people with sickle cell disease have equitable access to information, care, and innovation. Our goal is to break down barriers to health equity, ensuring that advancements in clinical research and therapeutic breakthroughs are available to all, regardless of background or circumstance.