September is nationally recognized as Sickle Cell Awareness Month, a designation established by a Joint Resolution of Congress in 1983 and reinforced by Presidential proclamations over the years. The goal is simple yet urgent: to bring greater awareness to sickle cell disease (SCD) and sickle cell trait (SCT), conditions that affect millions worldwide but remain underrepresented in research, resources, and policy. It is in this spirit of awareness, education, and advocacy that the As One Foundation will host two powerful events on Monday, September 22, 2025, at Quail Valley Golf Club & City Centre (2880 La Quinta Dr) in Missouri City, Texas.
The day kicks off with the 3rd Annual SICKLE CELLebrity Golf Tournament, an event that blends community, sportsmanship, and philanthropy. Golfers, sponsors, and supporters will unite on the greens not only for a spirited competition but also to raise critical funds for the Foundation’s work empowering and supporting sickle cell families through a “Luxury, Golf & Giving-themed” auction and raffle. Check-in begins at 6:30 a.m. with breakfast, followed by an 8:00 a.m. shotgun start. The day will conclude with an Awards Luncheon at 1:30 p.m., celebrating winners and champions for the cause.
What makes this tournament truly unique are the SICKLE CELLebrities—athletes, advocates, and influencers lending their names, time, and star power to amplify awareness. Confirmed attendees include Married to Medicine reality star and business mogul, Lisa Nicole Cloud; Houston’s own award-winning music video producer/director, John “Dr. Teeth” Tucker; Terry Williams of HEB; Retired Houston Rocket, Moochie Norris; NFL Legends, Hall of Famer and retired Houston Texan, Andre Johnson; 4-time Pro Bowler, Antonio Cromartie; Houston Texans 1st Round Draft pick, Travis Johnson; Houston’s own and Former Texan, Anthony Oakley; Former Texas, Mark Simmons; and of course, the As One Foundation’s founder and retired Texans wide-receiver, Devard Darling, alongside his older brother, Olympian Track Medalist, Denny Darling. Invitations have also been extended to notable figures such as Attorney Ben Crump, NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer, and Houston legend Hakeem Olajuwon.
Complementing the tournament is the Sickle CELLebration Lunch & Learn, scheduled from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the same venue. This intimate gathering is free for the first 50 registrants and will provide a deep dive into the realities of sickle cell disease and trait. The highlight of the program will be a special address by Attorney Ben Crump, one of the nation’s most prominent voices for justice. His remarks are part of the Foundation’s ECON HEALTH CONNECT program, created to bridge the gap between financial stability and healthcare access.
The program reflects the truth that people living with sickle cell are not defined solely by their condition—they are students, professionals, parents, athletes, entrepreneurs, and leaders who deserve opportunities to expand their lives, even while navigating the health challenges sickle cell can present. ECON HEALTH CONNECT seeks to bring those opportunities to the forefront by connecting education, advocacy, and community resources.
Texas Data & the Urgency for Change
This conversation is especially urgent in Texas. In 2023, the Texas Sickle Cell Data Collection Program recorded more than 19,000 emergency department visits by individuals living with sickle cell disease. Nearly 93% of those patients were Black, with the highest burden in Houston and East Texas communities. Alarmingly, over 5% of those visits resulted in death.
The financial toll is equally devastating: more than $175 million in healthcare costs in a single year, with an average ER visit costing over $9,000. Nearly half of these patients rely on Medicaid, underscoring how fragile and insufficient the safety net is for families living with this disease.
Texas is one of only a handful of states in the nation that has invested in a Sickle Cell Data Collection Program, making it a leader in identifying the true scope of this crisis. The data is clear: while we know more than ever before, there is still much work to do to ensure these numbers translate into better care, stronger policies, and improved quality of life for patients and families.
These numbers are not just statistics—they represent our brothers, sisters, and children. They are lives cut short and futures limited by a system that still does not prioritize sickle cell disease the way it should.
A Founder’s Perspective
For Devard Darling, this mission is deeply personal:
“I lost my identical twin brother, Devaughn, to sickle cell trait exertion when we were just 18 years old. Every event we host, every program we build, is in his honor and for the thousands of families walking a similar journey. This tournament and Lunch & Learn are about more than golf or education—they’re about building a stronger community, saving lives, and making sure no one else’s story is cut short because of lack of awareness or resources.” – Devard Darling, Founder, As One Foundation
Together, these events embody the dual mission of the As One Foundation: to honor lives lost to sickle cell trait exertion and to improve the quality of life for individuals and families affected by sickle cell. Whether you join on the fairway or in the luncheon hall, your participation helps advance awareness, education, and tangible support for the sickle cell community.
👉 Register today for the Sickle Cell Lunch & Learn (free for the first 50): [ https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sickle-cellebration-lunch-learn-tickets-1645035147409?aff=oddtdtcreator&utm-source=cp&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing]
👉 Secure your spot in the SICKLE CELLebrity Golf Tournament: [https://shorturl.at/L1FDw]
This September, let’s come together — not just to play golf or share a meal, but to champion a cause that touches so many lives – AS ONE.
