CTHF 1 1 %??y ^ ' 1 5 -DIGIT 27101 )LINA ROOM f W ^ >? ? W ^ "?IC'',~" # \ IV iff ^ I 1 i nc ? ? I 1 B HI ? HP"1^ n uvWIN IV. LL Vol. XXXIII No. 35 THURSDAY, May 10, 2007 Young runner has bright a future See Page BJ Artist starting to get notice * for work Race for the Cure draws thousands 75 cents r e\ebri% m Poster boy shows disease's new face Photo by Layla Fainter H o s e a Sajaro Jr., a fourth grad er at Griffith Elementary, has battled sickle cell all of his young life. Long a black illness, sickle cell now affecting Hispanics BY LAY LA FARMER ^ase or carry the trait, offering a variety of THE CHRONICLE sen ices and educational resources to help families deal with the challenges that go hand Mckle Lcll Anemia is a debilitating disease that affects one in every 12 African Americans nationwide The disorder arises from a genetic mutation which causes red blood cells to form abnormally. It manifests with symptoms such as anemia and pain episodes, and is potentially fatal. Once thought to be a "black disease," cases of Sickle Cell Anemia are rampant in Hispanic populations as well, with one in 16 Hispanics carrying the genetic sickle cell trait. For decades, the Sickle Cell lJisease Association of the Piedmont (SCDAP) - which serves _Alamanee, Caswell, Guilford, Forsyth, Randolph and Rockingham Counties - has worked to improve the quail ty of lite for those who sutler from the dis Herrell in hand with the disease. ITie association oversees a 26 niember advisory board, which provides Winston-Salem residents with the support and education they need, hosting fundraisers and other events to raise awareness and sup port the various programs tliat the SCDAP offers. "We have close to 200 clients; both Hispanic and black," said Advisory Board President Doris Herrell. "We have raised quite a bit of money for sickle cell and been able to do a lot, for the children especially " The SCDAP has seen an influx of Hispanic patrons in recent years, according to Executive Director Gladys Robinson, who has managed the association since 1982. "In Winston-Salem, we have our largest See Sicklv cell on A 14 Impressive class departs to serve BY T KEVIN WALKER THE CHRONICLE Four years ago, the world of higher education was Darien Davis's oyster. California born and Charlotte^bred, Davis - then a Martin high school senior - had high aspira tions, a drive to be the uvai <11 tu a tran script to back it all up. He could have studied easi ness at any school in the nation; he picked Winston Salem State University. Saturday - as he swam in a sea of praise for being the member of the WSSU Class of 2007 with the highest GPA - Davis said if he has never once regretted his choice. At WSSl', he said, he found pro fessors who not only taught but cared and friends that he grew to love, not just like "The school has a great business program, and I was offered a full scholarship," said Davis, who was also influenced by his sister, a WSSl' alupini." Davis's unmatched 4.0 GPA, earned him time at the podium during the com mencement ceremony, which brought out thousands of peo WSSlPholo* Darien Davis speaks at Saturday's graduation ceremony. pic to the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum to watch a class of more than 4