‘Vital to the clients we serve’: How Martin Center Sickle Cell Initiative changes lives

In 2020, Carlin Hill’s battle with sickle cell disease reached a crisis.  

The lifelong disease knocked out his remaining kidney function. He required dialysis 12 hours a day – for four years.  

At best, he could muster only enough strength to complete one task a day, like briefly leaving the house for a quick trip to the store.  

He could see the toll it was taking on his two adult sons. At night, alone and hooked up to the dialysis machine in his bedroom, he battled. As he waited years for a kidney transplant, he clung to his faith, family and support system.  

An important part of that support system: Martin Center Sickle Cell Initiative. The nonprofit provides essential services to those with the disease.  

“They have been alongside me through this whole journey, from the ups and downs,” Hill said. “There have been a lot of times where I’m unable to work or unable to meet the requirements of the responsibilities I have. The Martin Center partners with me.” 

For more than half a century, the Indianapolis-based nonprofit has worked to enhance the lives of those with sickle cell disease and their families, through education, advocacy and assistance. The Martin Center serves more than 800 people annually, providing access to healthy food, transportation to medical appointments, emergency financial assistance and an annual scholarship fund for higher education. The center also provides monthly support groups for “sickle cell warriors,” as Hill calls them.  

Sickle cell disease is a group of inherited blood disorders that affects red blood cells. Instead of being round and flexible, the cells are sticky, hard and shaped like sickles. They can block blood flow, leading to debilitating pain, infections and organ damage.  

“It’s critical that we have the Martin Center,” said President and CEO Sherry Coleman. “We're here to support them; we’re here for whatever needs they may have. This is really vital to the clients that we serve.” 

The Martin Center has been an accredited partner with United Way of Central Indiana for decades. Most recently, in October 2025, United Way awarded $70,000 to the nonprofit from the Basic Needs Fund. Coleman said United Way's partnership allows the Martin Center to help clients overcome hardships.  

“United Way makes sure that the Martin Center can provide the services that our clients need,” she said. “It would be very tough and not affordable for us to do that without United Way.”  

In her decade working at the Martin Center, Coleman has seen clients be evicted and lose jobs because they couldn’t work due to sickle cell disease. The center was there for them with rental and utility assistance. She’s seen clients, like Hill, recover from crisis. 

“The Martin Center has changed a lot of clients’ lives,” she said. “They rely on us because they know that we are ... someone who is going to be there for them, and we understand the disease.” 

In September 2024, Hill received a life-saving kidney transplant from his former wife’s sister. “I believe God opened that door for me. And I was able to come through on the other side.” 

Hill didn’t think he would be alive right now, in 2025. 

But today, he has a new life. Hill is no longer on dialysis. He wakes up each morning with strength and energy. He can walk, run, lift weights. He was there for his granddaughter’s birthday party. 

He can feel the sunlight outside.  

“I just want my story to be heard, for somebody else that may be going through the same thing. That they don’t have to give up,” Hill said.  

 “I made it. And they can, too.” 

This story appeared in United Way of Central Indiana’s 2024-2025 annual report. For more stories of impact, view the full report online.