Walking With Warriors – Annual Sickle Cell Walk
Join us INDOORS for food, Fun, Door Prizes, and a GRAND CASH PRIZE!
Registration opens August 8, 2026!
About Walking With Warriors
On September 5, 2026, our community will gather at the McAbee Activity Center, 3801 Loop Road, Tuscaloosa, for the annual Sickle Cell Awareness Walk. Each year, we walk to honor the strength of individuals living with sickle cell disease, to remember those we’ve lost, and to stand with families who face the challenges of this condition every day. We walk because awareness saves lives, advocacy opens doors, and unity brings hope. Further, we walk to raise needed funds to support individuals and families living with Sickle Cell Disease with critical financial support.
This year’s event will be filled with fun, food, fellowship, door prizes, and even a grand cash prize. Whether you walk in honor of a loved one, in support of the cause, or simply to uplift the community and support a worthy cause, your presence makes a difference. Every step taken helps us continue providing critical services, education, and support throughout West Alabama.
Thank you for joining us as we walk with warriors, celebrate resilience, and push forward toward a future where every family affected by sickle cell disease feels seen, supported, and empowered.
Meet Arielle “Arie” Nicole McFarland: A Warrior in Gene Therapy
As you register for the Sickle Cell Walking With Warriors event, we invite you to join us in supporting Arielle Nicole McFarland, a 24‑year‑old advocate who has dedicated her life to uplifting individuals and families living with sickle cell disease.
Arielle is the founder of a nonprofit focused on sickle cell advocacy and youth support. She also partners with our organization to lead support groups, encourage families, and strengthen community awareness.
Today, she is courageously undergoing gene therapy at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN, a groundbreaking treatment with the potential to cure the sickle cell disease.
Beyond her advocacy work, Arielle is a certified phlebotomist who loves helping children navigate lab visits with confidence and calm. Her hobbies include arts and crafts — especially Diamond Art kits, which bring her joy during treatment.
After recovery, Arielle plans to travel, resume her career as a phlebotomist at Children’s of Alabama, and continue her education.
See the donation button as you register for the event. A portion of the donations will directly support Arielle’s recovery journey, living expenses, and transition back into her professional and academic goals.
Thank you for standing with her.
The Sickle Cell Disease Association of West Alabama is a proud United Way of West AL agency.
