Free High School Sickle Cell Tests

It only takes ten minutes for a student-athlete to know his/her Sickle Cell Trait status. You can help us end SCT related deaths with as little as a $10 donation. $10 covers 1 test for 1 student-athlete. How many student-athletes will you cover?

Help End Sports-Related Sickle Cell Deaths

In 2001 Devard Darling lost his twin brother, Devaughn, while attending and playing football at Florida State University. Many people can’t imagine the heartache of losing a sibling, let alone a twin. Devard began the As One Foundation with the intention of celebrating his brother’s life and honoring his legacy. He also wanted to do everything he could to help save other families from experiencing the same pain from something that is so preventable.

Devard Darling and the As One Foundation

From here you can learn more about Devard Darling, our President and Founder as well as a retired National Football League wide receiver and take a closer look at the foundation’s mission and work.

Be sure to read more about Devard’s twin, Devaughn Darling, and the special bond they shared that became the inspiration for today’s As One Foundation.

As One Foundation Celebrates 10 Years of the Darling Dash 10K/5K/1K and the bittersweet union of Mother & Son in Heaven

(Houston) On Sunday, February 23, 2020 more than 300 runners and walkers crossed the finish line in Stude Park, to educate the public on the dangers of Sickle Cell Trait (SCT). They participated in the 10th annual Darling Dash 10K/5K/1K Race for #SickleCellTrait, presented by UT Physicians and hosted by local nonprofit, As One Foundation(AOF).

For more than 10 years AOF has been educating student-athletes, coaches, teachers, and parents about the effects of SCT. “I started this foundation to honor my brother’s memory by educating others about his death from SCT,” says Devard Darling, founder of AOF. “Over the past 10 years, we’ve been able to not only educate people, but we’ve also provided free Sickle Cell screenings across Houston and the
nation. The funds raised this year will allow us to go to local schools with our Operation Hydration program and inform coaches and young athletes on the effects of SCT.”

Former Houston Texan, Devard Darling, founded the AOF to honor his twin brother, Devaughn Darling, who died from complications of SCT. The brothers were on football scholarships at Florida State University, when a rigorous football practice left Devaughn dehydrated and exhausted. Before his death, the twins didn’t know they had the trait. SCT has been classified as one of the top four non-injury killers of collegiate athletes. Sickle Cell Trait is not a disease, but having it means that a person has inherited the sickle cell gene from one of his or her parents. Risk factors for people living with SCT are dehydration, exertion, and elevation. Primary prevention for an SCT event is warming-up, hydrating and resting.

To support the As One Foundation, visit www.asonefoundation.org. For information about future
sponsorship opportunities please contact the As One Foundation at Tomia@AsOneFoundation.org