Southern University students along with the Alpha Tau Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. walked eight miles to raise money for the Baton Rouge Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation on Saturday, April 3.

Participants raised over $500 as they walked from Stewart Hall to the steps of the Louisiana State Capitol. The chapter sponsors the walk-a-thon each year.

“I felt that the contributions made by the walk-a-thon will help in the fight against sickle cell anemia by providing mental and monetary support for research,” said Cynthia Covington a senior majoring in biology from Lake Charles.

Sickle cell anemia is an inherited disease in which red blood cells-which are normally disc-shaped-become crescent shaped.  As a result, they function abnormally and cause small blood clots.

These clots give rise to recurrent painful episodes called sickle cell pain crisis.

Repeated crisis can cause damage to the kidneys, bones, eyes, lungs and central nervous system.

“This walk was for a good cause and I don’t think people realize how crucial sickle cell anemia is, ” said Rena Mallet, a computer science major from New Orleans.