Full Press Release:
Candis King Memorial Sickle Cell Awareness Event
On Saturday, September 26, 2026 join us as we celebrate the life and legacy of Candis King, a sickle cell disease (SCD) warrior and the inspiration behind Virginia’s groundbreaking Queen Candis Sickle Cell Act.
Bring your family and friends for a meaningful morning featuring a 1.5-mile memorial walk, opportunities to learn more about sickle cell disease, free sickle cell trait screening, and an American Red Cross blood drive. Together, we can raise awareness, strengthen our community, and help save lives.
Did you know that many people living with sickle cell disease depend on regular blood transfusions to survive? Finding compatible blood donors—particularly from diverse communities—remains a critical challenge. Every blood donation has the potential to provide lifesaving support to individuals and families affected by SCD.
The Prince William County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. invites you to honor Candis King’s extraordinary life at the Candis King 1.5-Mile Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Memorial Walk and Blood Drive.
Event Details
Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Location: Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School, 13833 Dumfries Road, Manassas, VA 20112Register today for the memorial walk and click here to schedule your life-saving blood donation appointment today in honor of Candis King.
Celebrate Candis King’s inspiring legacy by raising awareness of sickle cell disease, supporting those affected by SCD, and helping save lives through blood donation.One inspiring life. One walk. One donation. One community. Together, we can make a lasting impact.
The event is free to attend, and donations are appreciated. Proceeds will support scholarships in honor of Candis and SCD Awareness and Research.
We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, September 26th. Click here to register today!
Thank you to our community partners:
American Red Cross
GENETIX Biotherapeutics
George Mason Center for Community Mental Health
Girl Scouts, Nation’s Capital
The Heart of Gold Foundation
Howard University Center for Sickle Cell Disease
INOVA Adult Sickle Cell Center
Maryland Sickle Cell Disease Association
Sickle Cell Association of the National Capital Area (SCANA)
Sentara
Virginia Department of Health, Virginia Sickle Cell Awareness Program
The Prince William County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is inviting the community to a free Candis King 1.5-Mile Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Memorial Walk and Blood Drive on Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School, 13833 Dumfries Road near Dale City. The event will feature the walk, free sickle cell trait screening, education about the disease, and an American Red Cross blood drive, with donations appreciated to support scholarships in Candis King’s honor and sickle cell research.
Candis Gabriella King, a Colgan High School student known for her involvement in choir and color guard, died in October 2025 at age 15 from complications of sickle cell disease. Her story helped inspire Virginia’s first-in-the-nation Queen Candis Sickle Cell Act, signed by Gov. Abigail Spanberger in June 2026 to improve training, awareness, and coordinated care.
Subscribe to our FREE email newsletter to get local news you can trust. https://www.potomaclocal.com/email-subscription/