Gov. Spanberger Signs First-in-the-Nation Package To Transform Sickle Cell Care

NEWPORT NEWS

Governor Abigail Spanberger recently signed a first-in-the-nation, comprehensive legislative package focused on improving education, training, access, and coordinated care for Virginians with sickle cell and their families.

The Queen Candis Act was created in memory of Candis Gabriella King – a brilliant, vibrant 15-year-old whose passing sparked a unified effort to protect and uplift others battling sickle cell disease. At Sentara Community Care Center in Newport News, the Governor celebrated the life and advocacy of Candis together with her parents – Joshua King and Secretary of the Commonwealth Candi Mundon King – and the entire King family while signing the new legislation into law.

“Thousands of Virginians are living with sickle cell disease right now. They are managing chronic pain, navigating a healthcare system that too often dismisses them, and in some cases driving hours to reach the nearest specialist,” said Governor Abigail Spanberger. “Some of them are students in our schools whose coaches and nurses may not know how to recognize a crisis. Some are patients in our hospitals who face bias that shapes the care they receive. That is not a system that is working. The Commonwealth of Virginia has a responsibility to do better for Virginians.”

The parents of Candis Gabriella King added, “Our daughter, Candis, was a talented singer, performer, and color guard kid who loved Transformers and looked out for everyone around her. She battled sickle cell with a bravery most people never saw, and she taught herself to advocate for her own care with extraordinary strength. This legislation carries her light forward – so that every sickle cell warrior in the Commonwealth can advocate for themselves the way Candis did, and no family has to bury their child far too soon.”

The bipartisan legislative package Governor Spanberger signed into law supports parents, teachers, and healthcare professionals in managing, recognizing, and treating sickle cell disease. The new laws create greater training for school nurses across Virginia on sickle cell disease and support high school coaches in identifying the risks for student-athletes with the sickle cell trait. 

Additionally, the Governor signed legislation to establish Virginia’s first sickle cell trait awareness and education program and create the Virginia Sickle Cell Coordinated Access Network to connect healthcare providers with real-time consultation from sickle cell specialists.

Governor Spanberger was joined at the signing by Secretary of Health and Human Resources Marvin Figueroa, Speaker of the House of Delegates Don Scott, sickle cell advocates, and bill patrons who led the legislation – including Senator Mamie Locke, Delegate Delores McQuinn, Delegate Briana Sewell, and Delegate Cliff Hayes.

Governor Spanberger signed the following bills to improve training, education, and care for Virginians with sickle cell and their families:

•   HB1418 (Delegate Delores McQuinn)
•   HB1391 (Delegate Cliff Hayes), SB813 (Senator Louise Lucas)
•   HB1446 (Delegate Briana Sewell)
•   HB1503 (Delegate Cliff Hayes)
•   HB1147 (Delegate Cliff Hayes), SB22 (Senator Mamie Locke)