Verlinda J. Allen orginates from New Jersey. She graduated from Jersey City State College in 1994, with a BA in Special Education with a concentration in Music from NYU in 2005. She also holds a MA in Deafness Rehabilitation/Human Behavior Studies, before permanently moving to Florida post-graduation. Ms. Allen was born with Sickle Cell Disease, diagnosed at the age 2, with her first transfusion being at age of 5. Her illness has caused many obstacles in her life, but she manages it with the care received from the Foundation for Sickle Cell Disease Research. Since 2014, Ms. Allen has served as a Patient Advocate/Sickle Cell Warrior.
