September 12, 2025 • 10 mins
Today we’re joined by Reverend Zemoria Brandon (she/her), Administrator and Social Worker for the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America – Philadelphia/Delaware Valley Chapter (SCDAA-PDVC). Reverend Brandon is a passionate advocate for individuals and families impacted by sickle cell disease. She leads outreach, education, and advocacy efforts, and also chairs the SiNERGe “Shine the Light on Sickle Cell” campaign, raising awareness each year on during September - National Sickle Cell Awareness Month. Rev. Brandon continues to be a powerful voice for equitable healthcare and compassionate care.
📍 Upcoming Event: 2025 Walter E. Brandon Sickle Cell 5K Walk/Run
🌐 Website: sicklecelldisorder.com
🏃 Walk/Run Sign-Up: runsignup.com/WEB5KWALKRUN_SIGNUP
📸 Instagram: @scdaa.pdvc
📘 Facebook: @scdaapdvc
▶️ YouTube: @scdaapdvc
We’re also joined by John Parra, an award-winning, best-selling artist, illustrator, author, and educator, widely recognized for his Latino-themed children’s picture books and commercial artwork. John is passionate about connecting art and literacy for young readers. His newest book, This Moment Is Special: A Día de Muertos Story, celebrates culture, tradition, and mindfulness through beautiful storytelling and illustration.
📍 Meet John Parra in Person
🌐 Website: johnparraart.com
📸 Instagram: @johnparraart
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/JohnParraArt
🧵 Threads: @johnparraart
💼 LinkedIn: John Parra
▶️ YouTube: @johnparraart
📍 Upcoming Event: 2025 Walter E. Brandon Sickle Cell 5K Walk/Run
- Date: Saturday, September 21, 2025
- Time: 7:00 AM Registration and Morning Ceremony | 9:00 AM Start
- Location: Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, PA
- Details: This annual signature event raises awareness and funds for sickle cell disease research, support, and advocacy. Families, supporters, and community members gather to walk or run in solidarity with those living with sickle cell.
🌐 Website: sicklecelldisorder.com
🏃 Walk/Run Sign-Up: runsignup.com/WEB5KWALKRUN_SIGNUP
📸 Instagram: @scdaa.pdvc
📘 Facebook: @scdaapdvc
▶️ YouTube: @scdaapdvc
We’re also joined by John Parra, an award-winning, best-selling artist, illustrator, author, and educator, widely recognized for his Latino-themed children’s picture books and commercial artwork. John is passionate about connecting art and literacy for young readers. His newest book, This Moment Is Special: A Día de Muertos Story, celebrates culture, tradition, and mindfulness through beautiful storytelling and illustration.
📍 Meet John Parra in Person
- Date & Time: Saturday, September 20, 2025 – 12 noon
- Location: South Philadelphia Library 1700 South Broad Street (Broad & Morris Sts.)
Philadelphia, PA 19145-2392 - Event: Meet Author/Illustrator John Parra – Free Author Event
🌐 Website: johnparraart.com
📸 Instagram: @johnparraart
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/JohnParraArt
🧵 Threads: @johnparraart
💼 LinkedIn: John Parra
▶️ YouTube: @johnparraart
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Good morning, and welcome to Insight, a show about empowering
our community. I'm Lorraine Balladmorrow. The federal government is making
harder for folks to qualify for SNAP. We'll tell you
what's going on and how individuals can protect their benefits.
Will also tell you about a great organization addressing energy poverty.
But first, I am delighted to be joined by Reverend
Zamoria Brandon, who is Administrator and social worker for the
(00:22):
Sickle Cell Disease Association for America Philadelphia Delaware Valley Chapter.
Reverend Brandon is a passionate advocate for individuals and families
impacted by sickle cell. She leads outreach, education and advocacy
efforts and also chairs the Synergy Shine the Light On
Sickle Cell campaign, raising awareness each year World Sickle Cell
Awareness Day. Also, she is the force behind the twenty
(00:47):
seventh annual Walter E. Brandon Sickle Cell five K Walk
and Run. So, Zamoria, great to see you can be
here with you. Oh, they're so delighted and really looking
forward to the twenty seventh annual Walter E. Brandon Single
Cell five K Walk and Run, which is happening when exactly.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
Saturday, September twenty seventh, forty two thirty one Avenue of
the Republic, right across from the Police Touch Museum.
Speaker 3 (01:14):
From seven in.
Speaker 2 (01:14):
The morning until noon. We have a morning program Lorraine
from seven to eight. Then we do the walk run,
and this year it is a fun run. It won't
be a timed run, so people don't have to feel
competitive when they run. And then we'll have you know,
community vendors, We'll have entertainment, face painting, health screenings, massage,
(01:38):
therapy and all of that. And of course, as you know,
the walk run event is named after my late husband,
the Reverend Walter E.
Speaker 3 (01:47):
Brandon.
Speaker 2 (01:48):
He was spearheading our first walk in nineteen ninety eight
when he unfortunately passed away five months before it took place.
So I always say the work goes on and the
legacy can continues. So here I am still leading the
charge to honor not only him, but all the sickle
cell warriors in the community that are here and those
(02:10):
that we've.
Speaker 3 (02:11):
Lost as well.
Speaker 1 (02:12):
Beyond the fundraising and awareness, what are some of the
biggest challenges that families living with sickle cell face today
and how does your organization help to address them?
Speaker 2 (02:21):
That is a very important question, and that's really why
we even exist as a community based organization that was
founded July second of nineteen eighty two with the mission
of providing and meeting the needs of families that are
living with sickle cell disease. You know, oftentimes we think
about the medical aspect of sickle cell which is critical,
(02:42):
but people don't realize the day to day impact. Families
that need rental assistance, students that are in college and
they're placed on academic probation because they've not been able
to keep up with their studies. Advocacy when it comes
to being in the emergency room and not being understood
that you really are in pain, that you're not there
(03:03):
seeking drugs. For people that need transportation to be able
to get back and forth to the doctor's appointments is critical.
Many people don't have a car, don't have the money
to get on the bus, and when you think about appointments,
you might have to take your children with you. How
can you take three or four children on the bus
with you? You know, it's very difficult, and certainly in
(03:26):
the time that we are living in and with the
immigrant community which we serve, many of them of the Caribbean,
African and Latino immigrant community, what's happening now and how
they're feeling, and our partnership with the cultural leaders of
those organizations is critical and being able to help them
to feel safe, help them feel protected. We're here as
(03:50):
a voice, but a support to let them know that
they are not alone. So there are many other things
that we do. And then we also have a diverse
staff that speak many languages, so we're able to communicate
with those they call that may have a language barrier.
Speaker 1 (04:07):
There are some very exciting developments that are happening in
the world of sickle cell treatment.
Speaker 2 (04:13):
We're actually going to have five pharmaceutical companies at the
walk round this year that will have a table with
information about those treatment therapies and they will also be
making remarks.
Speaker 3 (04:26):
During the morning program. So for those that are interested.
Speaker 2 (04:30):
In learning more and having that one oh one education
with somebody that represents and the companies that I'm talking
about are Vertex, Pfizer, Bluebird, biole, Nova, Nordis, and Imaeus.
You hear about these different drugs, but you don't understand
what they're all about, how they work, and the need
(04:50):
for you to be able to touch base with your
physician to find out if you qualify for.
Speaker 1 (04:55):
Them once again. If people want more information about the
twenty seven annual Walter E Brand and Sickle Cell Walk
and Run, and also if they want information about all
the great support of services and resources available on your website,
tell us all the details there.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
Our number is area code two one five four seven
one eight six eight six.
Speaker 3 (05:17):
If they want to email us.
Speaker 4 (05:19):
We have sc d A A dot p d v
C at Sicklesell Disorder dot com.
Speaker 2 (05:29):
If they want to go on our website, it's www
dot Sickle Cell Disorder dot com. And if they want
to connect with us on Facebook, they can go to
at s c d a A p d v C.
Or our Instagram handle is s c d A A
dot p v v C. And then we're on YouTube,
(05:52):
so that's s c d a A p d v C.
So we ask people to come out Lorraine. They don't
have to walk or run. You know, their community vendors
will be there with information. If you want to do
health screenings, we're all under a lot of stress. We're
going to have massage therapists, there'll be refreshments. Our major sponsor,
(06:13):
i must say, is District Council thirty three. They've been
with us since the beginning. They are our major sponsor,
and the pharmaceutical companies I mentioned are our corporate sponsors
as well. I can't believe it's been twenty seven years.
Thank you so much, Lorraine for always being so open,
willing and ready to support what it is that we
(06:36):
do in the sickle cell community. I know it means
a lot to you because of your own personal connection
with someone.
Speaker 3 (06:43):
That is living with the illness.
Speaker 2 (06:44):
Absolutely so, and thank you.
Speaker 1 (06:47):
We're very grateful for the work that you and the
Sickle Cell Disease Association of American Philadelphia at Delaware Valley Chapter,
which is sponsoring the twenty seventh annual Walter E. Brann
and Sickle Cell Fifk Walk and Run on September twenty seventh.
So thank you so much. Reverend Zamoria Brandon, administrator and
social worker for the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America,
(07:09):
Philadelphia Delaware Valley Chapter. Thank you again for all that
you do in raising our awareness and all the support
and resources that you provide for those living with sickle
cell Thanks.
Speaker 3 (07:19):
Bless thanks to you. Thank you again.
Speaker 1 (07:20):
Marnin Today we're joined by John Patta, an award winning
best selling artist, illustrator, author, and educator widely recognized for
his Latino themed children's picture books and commercial artwork. He
is going to be coming to the Philadelphia area Saturday,
September twentieth at noon at South Philadelphia Library at the
(07:44):
Philadelphia Free Library for an author event. John, thank you
so much for joining us in congratulations on your new book,
This Moment Is Special, Dia del Muertes story. Tell us
what inspired the story.
Speaker 5 (07:57):
Well, the inspiration for This Moment is special. It's kind
of been with me for many years. It's kind of
based on a couple things. The first is sort of
a collection of vivid memories for my childhood, time spent
with family, friends and meaningful events, but or simply in
places that just felt extraordinary. I always kind of had
this quiet awareness in these moments, kind of a sense
(08:19):
that they're rare and precious, and so it kind of
maybe just instilled with inside me this sort of deep
appreciation for the people around me and just sort of
respect for the world that I was a part of.
Speaker 1 (08:31):
Much of your work celebrates Latino culture. How do your
heritage and personal experiences influence your art and storytelling the book.
Speaker 5 (08:39):
This moment is special. It's sort of set also within
the context of Dia de Martos, was just sort of
like a Latino Hispanic cultural celebration of honoring loved ones
who have passed away. That's always been a bit a
big part of my culture and how I developed my style,
because when I was in art school, you know, I
was sort of looking for a art style, kind of
(09:00):
how to establish yourself in the art world. And it
wasn't until I had a conversation with this really wonderful
Chicano artist from East Los Angeles about how he incorporated
his background and his culture into his art. It really
hit home for me. And so what I did was
I started a project. Actually it was also idea than
what those painting that I did, and I just got
(09:21):
so excited and so energized by working on it. I
just wanted to continue going down that path and exploring
more creatively and culturally for my background. So that's usually
why it ends up a part of most of my projects.
Speaker 1 (09:36):
For anyone who wants to support and connect with your work,
where can they find your books and follow your journey.
Speaker 5 (09:42):
Well, you can definitely go to my website jumpar art
dot com. Also, I'm on social media on Instagram, jumpar Art, Facebook,
jumpar Art, YouTube, jumpar Art, and of course, as you mentioned,
w at the South Philadelphia Library Sept. Number twentieth at
noon for a free story time.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
Thank you so much for joining us here today and
look forward to this wonderful talk that you're planning that
is part of Hispanic Heritage Month at the Free Library
of Philadelphia. Thank you so much, John.
Speaker 3 (10:08):
Para, thank you.
Speaker 1 (10:09):
We'll have more insight after these messages.
Good morning, and welcome to Insight, a show about empowering
our community. I'm Lorraine Balladmorrow. The federal government is making
harder for folks to qualify for SNAP. We'll tell you
what's going on and how individuals can protect their benefits.
Will also tell you about a great organization addressing energy poverty.
But first, I am delighted to be joined by Reverend
Zamoria Brandon, who is Administrator and social worker for the
(00:22):
Sickle Cell Disease Association for America Philadelphia Delaware Valley Chapter.
Reverend Brandon is a passionate advocate for individuals and families
impacted by sickle cell. She leads outreach, education and advocacy
efforts and also chairs the Synergy Shine the Light On
Sickle Cell campaign, raising awareness each year World Sickle Cell
Awareness Day. Also, she is the force behind the twenty
(00:47):
seventh annual Walter E. Brandon Sickle Cell five K Walk
and Run. So, Zamoria, great to see you can be
here with you. Oh, they're so delighted and really looking
forward to the twenty seventh annual Walter E. Brandon Single
Cell five K Walk and Run, which is happening when exactly.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
Saturday, September twenty seventh, forty two thirty one Avenue of
the Republic, right across from the Police Touch Museum.
Speaker 3 (01:14):
From seven in.
Speaker 2 (01:14):
The morning until noon. We have a morning program Lorraine
from seven to eight. Then we do the walk run,
and this year it is a fun run. It won't
be a timed run, so people don't have to feel
competitive when they run. And then we'll have you know,
community vendors, We'll have entertainment, face painting, health screenings, massage,
(01:38):
therapy and all of that. And of course, as you know,
the walk run event is named after my late husband,
the Reverend Walter E.
Speaker 3 (01:47):
Brandon.
Speaker 2 (01:48):
He was spearheading our first walk in nineteen ninety eight
when he unfortunately passed away five months before it took place.
So I always say the work goes on and the
legacy can continues. So here I am still leading the
charge to honor not only him, but all the sickle
cell warriors in the community that are here and those
(02:10):
that we've.
Speaker 3 (02:11):
Lost as well.
Speaker 1 (02:12):
Beyond the fundraising and awareness, what are some of the
biggest challenges that families living with sickle cell face today
and how does your organization help to address them?
Speaker 2 (02:21):
That is a very important question, and that's really why
we even exist as a community based organization that was
founded July second of nineteen eighty two with the mission
of providing and meeting the needs of families that are
living with sickle cell disease. You know, oftentimes we think
about the medical aspect of sickle cell which is critical,
(02:42):
but people don't realize the day to day impact. Families
that need rental assistance, students that are in college and
they're placed on academic probation because they've not been able
to keep up with their studies. Advocacy when it comes
to being in the emergency room and not being understood
that you really are in pain, that you're not there
(03:03):
seeking drugs. For people that need transportation to be able
to get back and forth to the doctor's appointments is critical.
Many people don't have a car, don't have the money
to get on the bus, and when you think about appointments,
you might have to take your children with you. How
can you take three or four children on the bus
with you? You know, it's very difficult, and certainly in
(03:26):
the time that we are living in and with the
immigrant community which we serve, many of them of the Caribbean,
African and Latino immigrant community, what's happening now and how
they're feeling, and our partnership with the cultural leaders of
those organizations is critical and being able to help them
to feel safe, help them feel protected. We're here as
(03:50):
a voice, but a support to let them know that
they are not alone. So there are many other things
that we do. And then we also have a diverse
staff that speak many languages, so we're able to communicate
with those they call that may have a language barrier.
Speaker 1 (04:07):
There are some very exciting developments that are happening in
the world of sickle cell treatment.
Speaker 2 (04:13):
We're actually going to have five pharmaceutical companies at the
walk round this year that will have a table with
information about those treatment therapies and they will also be
making remarks.
Speaker 3 (04:26):
During the morning program. So for those that are interested.
Speaker 2 (04:30):
In learning more and having that one oh one education
with somebody that represents and the companies that I'm talking
about are Vertex, Pfizer, Bluebird, biole, Nova, Nordis, and Imaeus.
You hear about these different drugs, but you don't understand
what they're all about, how they work, and the need
(04:50):
for you to be able to touch base with your
physician to find out if you qualify for.
Speaker 1 (04:55):
Them once again. If people want more information about the
twenty seven annual Walter E Brand and Sickle Cell Walk
and Run, and also if they want information about all
the great support of services and resources available on your website,
tell us all the details there.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
Our number is area code two one five four seven
one eight six eight six.
Speaker 3 (05:17):
If they want to email us.
Speaker 4 (05:19):
We have sc d A A dot p d v
C at Sicklesell Disorder dot com.
Speaker 2 (05:29):
If they want to go on our website, it's www
dot Sickle Cell Disorder dot com. And if they want
to connect with us on Facebook, they can go to
at s c d a A p d v C.
Or our Instagram handle is s c d A A
dot p v v C. And then we're on YouTube,
(05:52):
so that's s c d a A p d v C.
So we ask people to come out Lorraine. They don't
have to walk or run. You know, their community vendors
will be there with information. If you want to do
health screenings, we're all under a lot of stress. We're
going to have massage therapists, there'll be refreshments. Our major sponsor,
(06:13):
i must say, is District Council thirty three. They've been
with us since the beginning. They are our major sponsor,
and the pharmaceutical companies I mentioned are our corporate sponsors
as well. I can't believe it's been twenty seven years.
Thank you so much, Lorraine for always being so open,
willing and ready to support what it is that we
(06:36):
do in the sickle cell community. I know it means
a lot to you because of your own personal connection
with someone.
Speaker 3 (06:43):
That is living with the illness.
Speaker 2 (06:44):
Absolutely so, and thank you.
Speaker 1 (06:47):
We're very grateful for the work that you and the
Sickle Cell Disease Association of American Philadelphia at Delaware Valley Chapter,
which is sponsoring the twenty seventh annual Walter E. Brann
and Sickle Cell Fifk Walk and Run on September twenty seventh.
So thank you so much. Reverend Zamoria Brandon, administrator and
social worker for the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America,
(07:09):
Philadelphia Delaware Valley Chapter. Thank you again for all that
you do in raising our awareness and all the support
and resources that you provide for those living with sickle
cell Thanks.
Speaker 3 (07:19):
Bless thanks to you. Thank you again.
Speaker 1 (07:20):
Marnin Today we're joined by John Patta, an award winning
best selling artist, illustrator, author, and educator widely recognized for
his Latino themed children's picture books and commercial artwork. He
is going to be coming to the Philadelphia area Saturday,
September twentieth at noon at South Philadelphia Library at the
(07:44):
Philadelphia Free Library for an author event. John, thank you
so much for joining us in congratulations on your new book,
This Moment Is Special, Dia del Muertes story. Tell us
what inspired the story.
Speaker 5 (07:57):
Well, the inspiration for This Moment is special. It's kind
of been with me for many years. It's kind of
based on a couple things. The first is sort of
a collection of vivid memories for my childhood, time spent
with family, friends and meaningful events, but or simply in
places that just felt extraordinary. I always kind of had
this quiet awareness in these moments, kind of a sense
(08:19):
that they're rare and precious, and so it kind of
maybe just instilled with inside me this sort of deep
appreciation for the people around me and just sort of
respect for the world that I was a part of.
Speaker 1 (08:31):
Much of your work celebrates Latino culture. How do your
heritage and personal experiences influence your art and storytelling the book.
Speaker 5 (08:39):
This moment is special. It's sort of set also within
the context of Dia de Martos, was just sort of
like a Latino Hispanic cultural celebration of honoring loved ones
who have passed away. That's always been a bit a
big part of my culture and how I developed my style,
because when I was in art school, you know, I
was sort of looking for a art style, kind of
(09:00):
how to establish yourself in the art world. And it
wasn't until I had a conversation with this really wonderful
Chicano artist from East Los Angeles about how he incorporated
his background and his culture into his art. It really
hit home for me. And so what I did was
I started a project. Actually it was also idea than
what those painting that I did, and I just got
(09:21):
so excited and so energized by working on it. I
just wanted to continue going down that path and exploring
more creatively and culturally for my background. So that's usually
why it ends up a part of most of my projects.
Speaker 1 (09:36):
For anyone who wants to support and connect with your work,
where can they find your books and follow your journey.
Speaker 5 (09:42):
Well, you can definitely go to my website jumpar art
dot com. Also, I'm on social media on Instagram, jumpar Art, Facebook,
jumpar Art, YouTube, jumpar Art, and of course, as you mentioned,
w at the South Philadelphia Library Sept. Number twentieth at
noon for a free story time.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
Thank you so much for joining us here today and
look forward to this wonderful talk that you're planning that
is part of Hispanic Heritage Month at the Free Library
of Philadelphia. Thank you so much, John.
Speaker 3 (10:08):
Para, thank you.
Speaker 1 (10:09):
We'll have more insight after these messages.
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