Back to school: Senate panel OKs bill mandating sickle cell education

By: Christine Sexton

Outlets: Florida Phoenix

Published: February 6, 2026

Words: 798

Last Updated: 3 weeks, 3 days ago

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In many ways, Shamar Harper is a typical 12-year-old boy living in Miramar. He worries about homework, what he’s going to wear to school, and even the video games he plays.

“But I also worry about going to the hospital, taking my medicine, and the pain that shows up even when I didn’t invite it,” Harper told members of a Senate Health Policy Committee this week.

“I live with sickle cell disease. That means …

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