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Living with sickle cell or supporting someone diagnosed with it can mean needing extra care, everyday support, and financial help. Fortunately, there are organizations on the West Coast and in Alaska and Hawaii that can help. Here’s what you need to know to find the help you need.
Some sickle cell resources are available on a national level. Anyone affected by the condition can access these, including people on the West Coast and those in Alaska and Hawaii.
If you or your loved one qualifies for Medicare or Medicaid, these programs may help cover sickle cell care and other healthcare services. A social worker at your sickle cell care center may be able to help you understand Medicare or Medicaid eligibility, coverage, and other benefits that may be available. In some places, people with Medicaid can get transportation related to medical appointments, but you’ll need to find that through your state’s Medicaid program.
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The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America offers national information, education, advocacy, and resources for people affected by sickle cell disease, including information about support groups and community organizations.
TotalAssist has a sickle cell disease fund that may help eligible people with certain healthcare costs when funding is available. As of September 2026, the fund is closed to new applications. You can check the organization’s website or sign up for updates to find out when applications reopen.
There are several good resources for sickle cell care, support, and financial help on the West Coast in the United States. If you live in this area, one of these organizations may be able to help you get the support you need.
This group offers resources for people and families living with sickle cell diagnoses. Much of its work involves connecting people to other resources in the area. The foundation recommends people work with:
The foundation also offers resources to help people with sickle cell who want to pursue continuing education.
If you live in Washington state, this group can help you access free or low-cost medical care. It also offers families affected by sickle cell the chance to connect, get to know one another, and offer each other support.
For people in Washington, this organization offers resources to help people with sickle cell thrive. It has samples of transition of care plans for young adults, letters to employers, and 504 plans for schools. You can use these to advocate for yourself or someone you love who lives with sickle cell.
It also offers housing options for people living with sickle cell. You have to apply and qualify for these programs, but they offer a safe place to live and can help you access the medical care you need.
Lent’s House offers care and support to young people diagnosed with sickle cell and their families. The services are trauma-informed and offer farm-to-table eating options. There’s always a nurse on call.
The organization not only cares for the physical health of people diagnosed with sickle cell, but it also offers transportation, financial literacy, career education, and a transition plan for kids who age out. The goal is to help kids living with sickle cell thrive throughout their lives.
This nonprofit organization aims to make life better for kids affected by sickle cell. It offers support groups and transition education for youth who are taking over their own sickle cell care. It also hosts events like camps and Christmas parties for children with sickle cell diagnoses.
This organization can connect you to a wide variety of resources available to people with sickle cell in California. The offerings include ways to get help with childcare, transportation options, food resources, financial assistance, medical care centers, and more.
There are camps and support groups for children and teens, adult support and networking groups, and free counseling for people with sickle cell and their families.
Other organizations may also offer care, support, and financial help for people living with sickle cell on the West Coast, as well as their caregivers. You may want to look into:
Your medical provider may also know of more local resources or those that are only known by word of mouth. If you need help, make sure you let a healthcare professional know what you need.
Because Alaska has a relatively small and spread-out population, specialized sickle cell resources may be limited. Alaska Pediatric Oncology in Anchorage is listed as a sickle cell clinical site in the Pacific regional sickle cell network. Depending on your age, location, and medical needs, your care team may also refer you to other hematology centers in Alaska or outside the state.
Alaska also has free and low-cost community health centers, where you may be able to get care even if you don’t have insurance. They can get you the referrals you’ll need for speciality care.
Alaska Regional Hospital recommends you talk to your local hospital about what kind of support might be available there, or contact national organizations like the Sickle Cell Association of America.
Hawaii has very low numbers when it comes to sickle cell diagnoses, so local resources may be somewhat limited. Some care can be obtained in Honolulu, while others will need to go to the mainland for medical visits and more.
The Hawaii Department of Health previously operated a Sickle Cell Disease Project, but that specific project is now listed as completed. People in Hawaii can still ask about current genetic and specialty-care services available through state health programs, local hematology providers, and regional sickle cell organizations.
The Sickle Cell Consortium also has a Hawaii presence, so it may be helpful to contact the organization directly for current information about available programs and support. As in Alaska, you can reach out to the Sickle Cell Association of America for help, too.
If you need care, support, or financial help because you or someone you’re taking care of is living with sickle cell, talk to their healthcare provider about it. There may be additional resources available in your area that are known by word of mouth, rather than discoverable on the internet. A healthcare professional may also know individuals who work with these organizations, so you could get a personal referral for the help you need.
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