A $72,000 grant has been awarded to a local consortium to study the genetic disorder that causes sickle cell anemia.

The grant, awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, was given to the Cincinnati Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center and the Sickle Cell Awareness Group of Greater Cincinnati.

"The grant will be used to aid in improving the newborn screening follow-up rate of infants with abnormal hemoglobin test results," said Rochelle Morton, interim director of the Sickle Cell Awareness Group.

Ms. Morton is also vice president of education and youth development for the Urban League of Greater Cincinnati.

"We will specifically concentrate on infants with sickle cell trait or other hemoglobin variant not including sickle cell disease," Ms. Morton said.

Sickle cell anemia, also called sickle cell disease, is an inherited disorder characterized by abnormal red blood cells that take on a sickle shape.

The disease affects mostly people with African heritage, but is also seen in people from Mediterranean countries.

"Any nationality or ethnic group can be carriers of the sickle cell gene," Ms. Morton said. "In order for a couple to have a child with sickle cell disease, both must carry a hemoglobin variant and at least one must carry the sickle cell gene."

The consortium is one of 15 community-based sickle cell programs nationwide to receive funding for this project.

"We are extremely pleased to receive the grant," said Anthony Thomas, health educator with the Sickle Cell Awareness Group. "These funds will allow us to strengthen our ability to educate families who are dealing with a family member who has this disease."

The Henry Hosea House, a charity in Newport, gave needy families an early Thanksgiving last Tuesday.

Karen Yates, executive director, said they served 171 people.

"We had employees from Tom Gill Chevrolet and members of the Knights of Columbus of Covington serving the people," Ms. Yates said. "We also gave out 80 baskets of food. A lot of credit goes to Tom Gill Chevrolet, which collected truckloads of food."

The agency serves an average of 125 meals a night on an annual budget of $118,000.

"We have a staff of four people, three part-time. We served nearly 29,000 meals last year, due in large part to the goodness and generosity of the volunteers who help us," Ms. Yates said.

If you would like to see the Fairfield Police and Fire departments in a basketball game against the Special Olympics basketball teams, it will only cost you a can of food.

The event will take place at 6 p.m., Dec. 10 at the Salvation Army building, 235 Ludlow St., Hamilton.

Firefighters and police have raised money to outfit the Special Olympic team.

Allen Howard's "Some Good News" column runs Sunday-Friday. If you have suggestions about outstanding achievements, or people who are uplifting to the Tristate, let him know at 768-8362, at ahoward@enquirer.com or by fax at 768-8340.