By Carla Thomas
The Truth Reporter
On Saturday, September 20th, Ottawa Park was filled with energy, music and unity as the community gathered for the Heal Together Race for Sickle Cell 5K. The event featured vendors, cheer performances from Scott High School and Rise and Shine Academy and a moving rendition of Lift Every Voice and Sing performed by The Voices at BGSU.
Attendees enjoyed free food and refreshments, face painting, photo opportunities and dancing throughout the day, with DJ Syck Cecil keeping the energy high. Dr. Ashley Benson and Jim Snodgrass emceed the day, while guest speakers included Annie J. Ross Womack of the Ohio Sickle Cell and Health Association, Tanya Jenkins, International Director of St. Jude, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., young sickle cell warrior Emery Scott, and city council candidates Blair Johnson and Rob Pasker.
Proclamations were presented by state Senator Paula Hicks-Hudson and Ohio Representative District 41 Erica White, honoring warriors, their families and posthumously recognizing those who have “gained their wings.” The BRB Running Group led the warm-up, ensuring the race began with strength and purpose.
For founder La’Shardae Scott, DSW, MSW, CHES, CHW, president and CEO of the Scott Center for Observation, Treatment, and Transition (S.C.O.T.T.), the fight against sickle cell disease is deeply personal. Alongside her husband Eric Scott, she has turned their family’s journey with sickle cell into a mission of advocacy and support.
A Journey Born of Necessity
Scott’s advocacy began in her own home. “I’m a Detroit native. I moved here in 2014. My first son Emory was diagnosed with sickle cell in 2015, and Evan was diagnosed in 2016. There weren’t a lot of resources, so I went back to Detroit, educated myself and brought all of that back to Toledo.”
What began as a mother’s search for answers turned into a mission that has impacted thousands. “It all started with me advocating for my kids. I didn’t intend on it, but God led me. I’m just being obedient and trying to make sure people feel supported and less stressed.”
For La’Shardae Scott, this wasn’t just about her own family. Over time, she became a guide for thousands of others, helping families navigate the complex healthcare system.
Her children, Emory and Evan, are her daily reminders of why this work matters. Emory, now 10, even took the microphone and spoke at the event. “He told me he needed to let young warriors know that they need to use their voices,” she shared proudly.
For Scott, the Heal Together 5K is not just about raising money, it’s about visibility. “There’s already mistrust in the healthcare system, especially in Black and Brown communities. This race is about saying to patients and families: you are seen, you are heard, and you are valued.”
What began in her living room soon became the foundation for something much larger.
Shaping a Legacy
The S.C.O.T.T. Center has grown into a hub for support, training and advocacy. From providing resources to partnering with organizations like the Ohio Sickle Cell and Health Association and the Kidney Foundation of Northwest Ohio, the mission is clear: no family should feel alone.
Through programs like the Champion initiative—where volunteers sit with children in the hospital so parents can work—families receive practical, compassionate support. “I don’t have all the answers,” she admitted. “But I am trying to mitigate as many barriers as I can.”
Her personal experiences as a mother have shaped much of the Center’s approach. She and her husband even wrote a children’s book to help their then-four-year-old understand why his brother was in and out of the hospital—a tool that has since helped many other families explain the disease to young children.
“Our experiences shape who we are. God has used me to be a blessing to other families,” Scott said. “If I can give them resources and hope, that makes me happy.”
Family First, Community Always
Her household reflects both the challenges and the resilience of life with sickle cell. Of her four sons, two live with the disease, one carries sickle cell trait, and another carries alpha thalassemia. Their diagnoses came through unexpected routes, including routine sports physicals.
“I just know it’s divine,” she reflected. “That’s why I tell people, get tested. Don’t guess or wonder. If you were born in Ohio before 1990, you weren’t tested for sickle cell at birth. Ask your doctor to run a test.”
Her message is urgent yet hopeful: “We need empathy, not sympathy. Just because they look well doesn’t mean they aren’t fighting a battle on the inside. Every crisis is a fight for their life.”
As her children grew and her advocacy expanded, so too did her reach beyond Toledo.
A Voice Beyond Toledo
La’Shardae Scott’s work now reaches far beyond her city. She provides trainings for community health workers, contributes to research that has been published in national journals, and has earned recognition such as the Tower Award for community health workers.
“We recently did a study on food deserts and how lack of nutrition in
creases hospitalizations in sickle cell patients,” Scott explained. “If they’re not getting the right nutrition, more than likely they’re going to have more hospitalizations because their bodies aren’t getting the nutrients they need to function and heal.”
The study highlights how access to healthy food is not just a lifestyle issue, it’s a critical factor in health outcomes for those with chronic illnesses like sickle cell.
“Wherever I’m called to serve, I show up. But no matter what, I want patients and families at the center of every decision.
Building Warriors
Through it all, Scott returns to one central belief: those living with sickle cell are warriors.
“We call them sickle cell warriors. I tell my sons, you are superheroes. Your blood is different, but you’re still capable of being whoever you want to be. My son has wanted to be a civil engineer since he was six. Why not? Who’s to say he can’t?”
Her philosophy extends to every child she meets. “We can’t put them in a bubble. That’s not reality. Everything they say my kids can’t do—they do it. I don’t take their power by telling them no. They live, they play sports, they thrive.”
Looking Ahead
This year’s race surpassed its goals, with more than 200 participants and $20,000 raised. Next year, the S.C.O.T.T. Center will launch scholarships for warriors, siblings, and parents pursuing higher education or trade school.
“We want to invest in their futures,” Scott explained. Applications will open in January 2026, with scholarships awarded publicly at the next walk.
And while the programs, collaborations, and initiatives are important, La’Shardae Scott’s mission remains simple: “This is bigger than us. I just want families to feel celebrated, supported and empowered.”
“The event would not have been possible without the support of a host of generous sponsors and dedicated community partners whose contributions helped make the day both meaningful and memorable.”
How to Support
Whether it’s giving your time, your voice, or a donation, there are many ways to stand with families affected by sickle cell. You can sign up to be a Champion, volunteer, or donate at scottcenteroh.org/donate.
Connect with the SCOTT Center
Scott Center for Observation, Treatment, and Transition
3100 W. Central Ave. Suite 202
Toledo, OH 43606
La’Shardae Scott, DSW, MSW, CHES, CHW
President and Chief Executive Officer
lscott@scottcenteroh.org
(419) 301-4188 (Office)
(419) 452-8016 (Fax)
Website: scottcenteroh.org
