The Fayetteville Post Office was the site of a new stamp issue Thursday.

To raise awareness, encourage early testing, treatment, and focus attention

on finding a cure, a 37-cent Sickle Cell Disease Awareness postage stamp

was unveiled.

Fayetteville Postmaster Doris Roden was joined by Dr. James Eckman, director

of the Georgia Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center at Grady Memorial Hospital;

Dr. Stephanie Shields, clinical pharmacist at Southern Regional Health System;

and Fred Oliver, deputy superintendent, Fayette County Board of Education.

Oliver shared his family's personal experience with the disease.

Affecting one in 12 African-Americans, sickle cell disease damages blood

cells by changing smooth and round cells into sickle shapes and making them

hard and sticky. This results in the blocking of blood flow and organ damage.

Complications range from intense paid to strike or death. It is estimated

that more than 80,000 Americans have this disease and two million more have

the sickle cell trait, meaning they carry one coy of the gene for the disease.

The invocation was delivered by the Rev. Edward J. Johnson Jr., pastor

at Flat Rock A.M.E. Church. The presentation of colors was carried by the

Sandy Creek High School Air Force ROTC, the Pledge of Allegiance was led

was led by Damien Wright of New Vision Community Church. He did such an inspiring

job that Roden asked him to close by singing another song. He chose "Amazing

Grace," and encouraged the audience to join him in the singing.

Several tents were set up to offer brochures on Sickle Cell and the Post

Office had a booth selling first-day of issue envelopes with the new stamp

and various related items.