Thank you!
The 5K Walk/Run was a vibrant celebration of strength, solidarity, and community spirit. Grand Marshals Christopher Franklin and Jaylen Wells helped bring together families, advocates, healthcare partners, and warriors to walk with purpose and raise visibility for sickle cell disease. With every step, participants honored those affected, shared stories of resilience, and helped amplify the call for equitable care and ongoing support. The turnout and energy were inspiring, and the walk served as a powerful reminder that awareness grows when we move together.
Keeping a legacy alive
Mark Walden, a former chief meteorologist at ABC24 in Memphis, was an inspiring figure not just for his work in meteorology but also for his courageous battle with sickle cell disease. He passed away in 2013 after living with the disease, a hereditary condition that causes red blood cells to assume a crescent or “sickle” shape, leading to various health complications including pain crises and anemia.
In his memory, The Sickle Cell Foundation of Tennessee organizes an annual walk/run event to raise awareness and support for those affected by the disease. The event continues to draw large crowds, raising funds for treatment and education, and it keeps Mark Walden’s legacy alive in the fight against sickle cell. The event is also a means to support families impacted by the condition through testing, social services, and advocacy initiatives.
Mark’s battle with the disease and his public role brought much-needed attention to Sickle Cell, furthering efforts to improve awareness and healthcare options for those who suffer from it.
