Executive Director
Candice's Sickle Cell Fund
Candice Deler has sickle cell disease, a hereditary blood disorder that causes the already fragile
red blood cells to take on a sickle shape, thereby limiting the supply of oxygen to the body. As
a result, severe pain is experienced.
Despite this, in 1998, Candice graduated from Stony Brook
University with a Bachelor of Science in Social Work.
In the spring of 1999, Candice completed an accelerated one-year program at Fordham University, and received her Master’s
Degree in Social Work. Candice Deler is a Licensed Social Worker and
Candice realized that not everyone with sickle cell disease was as fortunate as she in
completing their education. It is difficult to obtain scholarships when you are unable to
maintain acceptable grades due to hospitalizations caused by excessive absences. For this
reason, Candice wanted to bring awareness of this disease to the community.
In December 2000 Candice’s Sickle Cell Fund, Inc. (CSCF) a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization.Candice has actively engaged in outreach and meets with patients in the hospitals to ensure their needs are being met. She provides education and advocacy to support
Emergency Department (ED) navigation in the various hospitals.
In 2018 Candice spoke at the NYSNA Conference at Jacobi
Hospital discussing ways to End Health Disparities for Adults with Sickle Cell Disease.
In 2022 she began collaborating with the Sickle Cell
Association of Antigua and Barbuda on nutrition. They modelled their Nutrition Solution
Workshop after her Catered Meals program
Candice has been the Director of Candice’s Sickle Cell Fund, Inc. for 25 years. She
is on the advisory board for Fulcrum Therapeutics. She facilitates a monthly
support group for patients and a monthly ECHO meeting on eliminating health
disparities in the ED which is in collaboration with Doctors, Nurses, Social
Workers, Community Health Workers and other Community Based Organizations.