Cayenne Wellness Center Announces 5th Annual Hispanic Heritage Month Educational Summit in Long Beach

Cayenne Wellness Center has announced its 5th Annual Hispanic Heritage Month Educational Summit, scheduled for September 15–16, 2026, at the Marriott Long Beach Downtown in Long Beach, California. The two-day event, which will also be accessible online, is designed to unite sickle cell warriors, caregivers, healthcare professionals, advocates, community leaders, and families. The summit will focus on the unique experiences and challenges faced by Hispanic and Latino individuals and families affected by sickle cell disease, a genetic blood disorder that disproportionately impacts these communities.

The timing of this year's summit is particularly significant. September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month, a time dedicated to increasing understanding of the disease and elevating the voices of those living with it. The summit also begins on September 15, the opening day of Hispanic Heritage Month, creating a timely opportunity to bring greater visibility to the intersection of culture, health, and sickle cell disease. This alignment underscores the importance of culturally responsive education and advocacy in addressing health disparities.

The summit will feature programming that explores the relationship between country of origin, genetic background, and community-centered sickle cell education. Attendees will gain practical tools to help warriors advocate for themselves and navigate the disease, its comorbidities, and related health concerns. A central part of the summit will be a warrior-led roundtable, providing a platform for individuals living with sickle cell disease to share their perspectives and experiences directly with attendees. The program will also address the critical transition from pediatric to adult care, a challenging period for many patients, and feature breakout discussions focused on men's health, women's health, international sickle cell warriors, and domestic and international providers and caregivers.

Beyond the educational sessions, the summit aims to strengthen relationships across the sickle cell community. Vendor and exhibitor tables will be available for community-based organizations, businesses, healthcare organizations, authors, artists, educational institutions, and industry partners to share resources and connect directly with participants. This interactive component is designed to foster collaboration and ensure that attendees leave with a network of support.

Key sponsors for the event include Beam Therapeutics, Inc. as a GOLD sponsor, and Chiesi USA, Inc. and Global Rare Diseases as SILVER sponsors. Their support is vital in bringing these important conversations to the forefront and enabling the summit to offer a robust program.

Registration is now open for sickle cell warriors, families, caregivers, healthcare professionals, advocates, and community organizations. Interested individuals can register at https://cayennewellness.org/espanol/hispanic-heritage-virtual-seminar-2026. Organizations and businesses interested in connecting with attendees can reserve a vendor or exhibitor table by visiting https://tinyurl.com/HHVENDOR2026.

Cayenne Wellness Center and Children's Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in 2000, is dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals living with sickle cell disease in California. Through education, advocacy, and comprehensive care, the organization continues to be a trusted leader in advancing sickle cell support and resources. This summit represents a critical step toward achieving health equity and ensuring that Hispanic and Latino communities receive the culturally responsive care they deserve.