September 29, 2020

Texas Children’s Hematology Center participated in virtual celebrations and community awareness activities during National Sickle Cell Disease and Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP) Awareness Month.

Throughout the month of September, our Hematology Center staff honored our patients and their families who have been touched by sickle cell disease and ITP, two types of blood disorders that the center treats annually. While this year’s activities were celebrated in a virtual and socially distant way to keep everyone safe during COVID-19, the celebrations not only recognized our patients, but celebrated our hematology staff who play an important role in improving the care and outcomes of patients with blood disorders.

“We look forward each year in September to raising public awareness about sickle cell disease and ITP,” said Dr. Jenny Despotovic, director of Texas Children’s Hematology Center. “We are grateful to our patients and to our team, who continue to help us advance research towards developing novel treatment approaches to improve the long-term outcomes for patients with these rare types of blood disorders.”

Several highlights from Texas Children’s sickle cell disease and ITP awareness activities included:

Sport Purple for Platelets Day

In recognition of Sport Purple for Platelets Day on September 25, Dr. Jenny Despotovic explains in this video, why we wear purple to show support and advocate for children and adults with ITP, an immune-related blood clotting disorder of platelets that can lead to excessive bruising and bleeding. Approximately 60 to 70 new patients with ITP are seen at Texas Children’s Hematology Center every year.

Making a Mark Virtual art gallery

Presented by The Periwinkle Foundation, the Making A Mark® exhibition showcased art and creative writing by children ages 3 to 22 who have been affected by cancer and blood disorders. The exhibit opens each year in September and this year it was hosted virtually on The Periwinkle Foundation website. The exhibit featured over 130 pieces of art and creative writing made by patients and their siblings. A panel of guest judges selected 15 purple ribbon pieces which they feel convey a positive message about childhood cancer and blood disorders awareness. Click here to access the art gallery.

Sickle Cell Twitter party

To focus attention on the need for research and treatment of sickle cell disease, the 7WT nursing unit partnered with the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (SCDAA) for a Twitter party. This year’s theme was “Sickle Cell Matters”. The staff on the unit decorated the family lounge with a balloon wall for photos and gifted their Sickle Cell Disease patients with a token of love. The patients, nursing and physician staff were all invited to join in on the fun. Photos were taken with signs in an effort to increase awareness about sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait during the month of September. In recognition of sickle cell disease awareness month, patients visiting our outpatient clinic received red Mardi Gras beads and red ribbons to decorate and write inspiring messages for others facing this disease.

Hematology staff video messages

To celebrate our patients and their families, our Hematology team gathered virtually to share inspiring video messages throughout the month of September. Click here to view messages from Drs. Titi Fasipe and Venée Tubman, co-directors of the Sickle Cell Disease Program, and Dr. Amber Yates, associate director of the Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Fellowship Program.

Other community outreach efforts

Our Hematology staff also engaged in numerous sickle cell disease and ITP awareness activities:

  • Dr. Jenny Despotovic was recently recognized as an Expertscape World Expert in Idiopathic thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), the most common immune hematologic disorder. Despotovic is the editor of the Immune Hem textbook. A number of our hematologists at Texas Children’s Hospital contributed to this textbook. Click here to read more about this scholarly milestone.
  • Dr. Venée Tubman was recently awarded a five year K23 grant from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health for her project, “Characterization of B lymphocyte deficiency in pediatric sickle cell disease.” On September 30, Tubman will deliver a presentation on “The Impact of Race and Racism on Individuals with Sickle Cell Disease” during a webinar hosted by Harvard Medical School that focuses on addressing health care disparities.
  • Dr. Titi Fasipe was an invited co-guest with Mary Hulihan, Dr.PH, of the Centers for Disease Control on a live podcast, Saturday Mornings with Joy Key, on September 12..The podcast was aired on BlogTalkRadio. Also, Fasipe participated in the American Society of Hematology (ASH) Virtual Hill Day and met with congressional staff virtually during the week of Sept 21. Fasipe was selected as a reviewer of the consensus report on “Addressing Sickle Cell Disease: A strategic Plan and Blueprint for Action.” As Chair of the Houston Sickle Cell Collaborative, Fasipe will participate in a panel discussion during the Virtual Sickle Cell Advocacy Summit on October 8 titled “Harnessing the Power of the Collective,” and will provide closing remarks. TCH Sickle Cell Program will have a virtual booth.
  • Dr. Amber Yates participated in a webinar sponsored by the Red Cross – Los Angeles as part of their Community Conversations series titled Sickle Cell: The Heroes and the Facts. She also presented on the use of Hydroxyurea in the treatment of sickle cell disease for a program called SCD Talks with Agnes, who is the founder of Australian Sickle Cell Advocacy, a community based organization for people with SCD in Australia. Yates was asked to “takeover” the HHS Office of the Chief Technology Officer Twitter handle on Sept. 22 to amplify her voice about SCD and she also participated in the Roundtable on Leveraging Data to Address Sickle Cell Disease hosted by the HHS Office of the Chief Technology Officer. Yates was asked to serve on the Editorial Board for Pediatric Blood and Cancer, and as deputy editor of AAP PREP Hematology-Oncology Editorial Board.

Click here to learn more about Texas Children’s Hematology Center.

September 8, 2020

Each year in September, Texas Children’s Hematology Center celebrates Sickle Cell Awareness Month and Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) Awareness Month. Our Hematology Center, directed by Dr. Jenny Despotovic provides the most advanced care to patients with these and other blood disorders.

The Sickle Cell Disease and Thalassemia Program at Texas Children’s Hematology Center, co-directed by Drs. Titi Fasipe and Venée Tubman, is the largest in Texas, serving more than 1,000 children a year. Our program offers the latest treatments for these inherited red blood cell disorders and conducts some of the top research in the field. The program’s multidisciplinary staff is made up of board-certified pediatric hematologists, hematology-trained nurse practitioners and physician assistants, research staff, as well as social workers and child life specialists. A few of our providers, including Dr. Fasipe, live with sickle cell disease themselves, giving them a unique perspective in caring for their patients.

In this Connect article, Dr. Fasipe and Nurse Practitioner Precious Uwaezuoke share why they chose to dedicate their profession to caring for children with sickle cell disease and how living with this disease has allowed them to better connect with patients and their family members who have sickle cell disease.

“I have the privilege of taking care of children with sickle cell disease and seeing them face their disease so bravely,” said Fasipe. “When I see the strength and resiliency of our patients, I realize that we can get through any challenge or any struggle because we are here for each other and we support each other.”

Dr. Tubman, who cares for patients with sickle cell disease here at Texas Children’s, also works with our Global HOPE (Hematology-Oncology Pediatric Excellence) Team to improve the prognosis of children with blood disorders in sub-Saharan Africa and is involved in sickle cell disease-related research.

“At Texas Children’s, I am thrilled to be part of a team of clinicians passionate about providing optimal care for children with sickle cell disease regardless of where in the world they live, as well as part of a collection of researchers dedicated to using basic science techniques to advance understanding of the biology of sickle cell disease and to develop new therapies. It’s truly exciting to be able take such a comprehensive approach to sickle cell disease care for today and for the future.”

Also, during the month of September, our Hematology Center team will help raise awareness about ITP (immune thrombocytopenia), an immune-related blood clotting disorder of platelets that can lead to excessive bruising and bleeding.

Approximately 60 to 70 new patients with ITP are seen at Texas Children’s Hematology Center every year. ITP, an immune disorder that results in low platelets, is caused when the immune system becomes dysregulated or confused. The normal function of the immune system is to defend the body against foreign invaders, such as infections. However, when it becomes dysregulated it can make antibodies that attack normal, healthy cells. In ITP, these antibodies are directed against the platelets, which lowers the platelet count and can lead to bruising and bleeding.

“We are actively pursuing research seeking to better understand the causes of ITP in children, and we are active collaborators on clinical trials and other research studies,” said Despotovic. “Our team is also involved in several studies related to the efficacy and safety of novel ITP treatment approaches for children as well as expanding treatment options for refractory patients to improve long-term outcomes.”

Virtual activities to raise awareness

Throughout September, Texas Children’s Hematology Center encourages staff to participate in virtual activities to help shine the light on sickle cell disease and ITP.

  • Patient and staff videos: Throughout the month of September, we will feature inspiring videos from patients and families sharing messages of encouragement and support to other families impacted by sickle cell disease and ITP. Our Hematology Center staff will share video messages as well. The videos will be posted on Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers Facebook Page and our One Amazing Team Instagram Page.
  • Making a Mark virtual art gallery opens: Presented by The Periwinkle Foundation, the Making A Mark® exhibition will showcase art and creative writing by children ages 3 to 22 who have been affected by cancer and blood disorders at Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers. The exhibit opens each year in September and this year it will be hosted virtually on The Periwinkle Foundation website. The exhibit will feature over 130 pieces of art and creative writing made by patients and their siblings. A panel of guest judges have selected 15 purple ribbon pieces which they feel convey a positive message about childhood cancer and blood disorders awareness. Click here to access the art gallery.
  • Visit the Texas Children’s Blog for Hematology Center-related posts throughout the month. Stay tuned to Connect for more Texas Children’s awareness activities in September.
Patient Activities

The Cancer and Hematology Centers’ outpatient team is hosting a variety of colorful activities throughout the month to honor each of the patient populations impacted by the diseases/disorders being honored in September.

Virtual activities in the community

ITP Awareness Month

Sickle Cell Awareness Month

Click here to learn more about Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers.

February 4, 2019

Susan Kirk, a physician’s assistant with Texas Children’s Hematology Center, has been nationally recognized for earning a specialty credential called a Certificate of Added Qualifications (CAQ) from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).

Kirk was recognized for earning a CAQ in Pediatrics, a distinction earned by meeting licensure, education and experience requirements and then passing a national exam in the specialty. She is one 13 certified PAs in Texas to earn a CAQ in Pediatrics since the program’s inception in 2014.

As a 7-year veteran of the hospital, Kirk said she pursued a CAQ in pediatrics to demonstrate her dedication to the field and validate her subspecialty skills.

“Certified PAs who earn the CAQ demonstrate a strong commitment to lifelong learning and attention to evolving medical advancements in their area of practice,” says Dawn Morton-Rias, president and CEO of NCCPA. “Not only have they maintained certification through continuing medical education programs and assessments throughout their careers, they have pursued and been awarded this additional credential that attests to their knowledge and skills in their specialty.”

CAQs are offered to certified PAs in seven specialties: cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, emergency medicine, hospital medicine, orthopaedic surgery, nephrology, pediatrics and psychiatry.

The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) is the only certifying organization for PAs in the United States. The PA-C credential is awarded by NCCPA to PAs who fulfill certification, certification maintenance and recertification requirements. There are more than 131,000 certified PAs in the U.S. today. For more information, visit www.PAsDoThat.net.