Part 7 of a 10 part series
The Sickle Cell Association of America, Inc headquartered in Baltimore has received donations and contributions to help people with the disease. But a well placed source have said, "most of the money received has never gone to the people with the disease or the member organizations who serve those with the disease."
As an example, as reported by Pop City Media.com, when Steelers star Santonio Holmes discovered that his oldest child, Santonio III, had developed sickle cell anemia, he found the best doctors to treat him. The boy's health soon began improving. But as the months of medical appointments and daily medication wore on, Holmes began thinking about the many Pittsburgh families who struggle with this disease without the same financial resources his family enjoys.
"My seven-year-old is doing a lot better. It is almost to the point of being controllable. He has to take medication every day and probably will for the rest of his life," says Holmes. "I know how expensive the medications and the hospital visits can be so one of our goals in establishing the foundation is to assist families that have been affected by the disease along with helping in the research to find a cure for SCD."
Holmes' fundraising for SCD began after he caught the game-winning touchdown against the
Where did the money go? Was there ever a public accounting and were member organizations informed of how the money was spent? Did the money go to the salary of the Acting CEO and Chief Operating Officer?
Did the money go towards those who have the disease? Was a scholarship set up in the name Santonio Holmes? Where is the money?
The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Inc, has raised millions of dollars in recent years. But for the past two years under the leadership of Duane Bruce, they have not reported where the money goes.
As an example, when Santonio Holmes caught the winning touchdown to win the Superbowl in 2009, he immediately announced that the gloves he wore for the catch would be auctioned off for SCDAA to help people with the disease.
Santonio's young son has the disease.
The gloves were on the Reebok website for two weeks and the bidding came down to two unidentified people bidding at the last minute-the amount raised was around $72,000.
Black Rip Off Report: One has to wonder if Santonio ever received a report on how the money was used - the public sure didn't.
Take a look at the SCDAA website. Do you see a 2008, IRS 990 or state charity financial report? If you do when was it placed on the website. As of today March 22, 2010. No report has been made and no report has been received by the Black Rip Off Report as requested.
Maybe this SCDAA group does not understand Section 6-101(g) specifies the content of the disclosure statement. Each disclosure statement must include:
- (1) A statement that a copy of the current financial statement of the charitable organization is available on request; (2) The name of the charitable organization and the address and telephone number where requests for a copy of the financial statement should be directed; and
(3) A statement that, for the cost of copies and postage, documents and information submitted under the Act are available from the Secretary of State.
I guess they are busy cooking the books at SCDAA. At this point there are serious questions about the ethical conduct by this charitable organization.
Like in the case of the national office of SCLC, It's time time for complaints to be filed and investigations to begin.
Let's see if the SCDAA national board handles this like the SCLC national board did, before the newspapers, radio, and TV stations get a hold of this mess.
The Black Rip of Report will be the first in line, to file a complaint. Join us!
Let's see if the SCDAA national board handles this like the SCLC national board did, before the newspapers, radio, and TV stations get a hold of this mess.
The Black Rip of Report will be the first in line, to file a complaint. Join us!
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