The goal of EMPOWER SCD is to help middle and high school students with sickle cell disease thrive in school, envision themselves as college material, develop an interest in the science underlying their disease, and use that interest to enlarge their academic and career horizons to include a future in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, or Medicine (STEMM).  

Through a 9-month mentorship program, SCD students will be paired with a University/College STEMM student. The pairs will meet weekly to engage in homework support, educational activities, problem solving, and STEMM identity conversations.