Henrico sickle cell walk honors Florence Neal Cooper Smith: 'If she doesn't stop, we shouldn't stop'

Hundreds of people laced up their sneakers at Dorey Park in Henrico Saturday morning for the "Finding a Cure Together for Sickle Cell" walk, raising money for research and treatment of the blood disorder.

The walk benefits the Florence Neal Cooper Smith Professorship at MCV, an endowed fund that supports sickle cell research and treatment.

Lisa Townes, president of the Upsilon Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, said the event honors the legacy of Florence Neal Cooper Smith and the impact her advocacy has had on sickle cell research.

"We do this to help carry on the lifelong curiosity, career, and advocacy of our member Florence Neal Cooper Smith because of her, in Richmond and indeed across the country, the research, treatable and affordable cures are now coming into play," Townes said. "This will help fund an endowed professorship at MCV which will help to continue to carry on that research and treatment mission."

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