When Dawann Steagall, Jr. (B.S. ’21) was diagnosed with a rare, terminal renal medullary carcinoma, he also learned that he carried the sickle cell trait. Having experienced no sickle cell symptoms in his life, the young Portsmouth, Virginia, native had no idea he was at higher risk for certain cancers.
It was this personal battle that led Steagall, the chief of staff for Virginia Delegate Alex Askew, to champion legislation, alongside Delegate Askew and Sentara Health, to change the futures of young Black men like himself.
Young men he will never meet. Steagall passed away on May 31, 2026.
His family joined Governor of Virginia Abigail Spanberger at Old Dominion University on September 16 — along with University and Sentara Health leaders, elected officials and health advocates — for the signing of HB392, “Dawann’s Law,” new legislation focused on sickle cell and cancer education and named in Steagall’s honor.
“Dawann was a proud Monarch alumnus, but he was much more than just a graduate,” said Old Dominion University President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D. “He brought a genuine commitment to bettering the lives of others, leaving an indelible mark on so many that were touched by his soul as well as his spirit. Dawann truly embodied what we teach at Old Dominion University; that education isn't just about earning a degree; it's about discovering your purpose and having the courage to pursue it. And he certainly did that.”
The final bill signed as part of the Queen Candis Act, HB392 requires sickle cell screening and treatment programs in Virginia to include educational resources for healthcare providers on the increased risks for certain cancers among individuals with sickle cell disease or the sickle cell trait.
“Renal medullary carcinoma is a rare and aggressive cancer that strikes almost exclusively young Black men who carry the sickle cell trait,” said Governor Spanberger. “It moves fast. It is devastating. And, for too long, too many providers don't know to look for it. It's vital that Virginia lead the way in combating sickle cell disease. This illness has not received the research funding, the policy attention or the public awareness it demands. That disparity is not an accident, and it has cost lives. Virginia is working to change that.”
Although Steagall is no longer here to see the impact of his work, those who knew him are committed to carrying it forward.
"Young Black men will know the risk," said Secretary of the Commonwealth Candi Mundon King. "They will know how to advocate for themselves, and his legacy will continue to live on."
Leaving a Legacy
In his role as chief of staff, Steagall was responsible for coordinating with community advocates, driving policy research for crafting and advancing legislation and managing the legislative agenda.
"He worked in campaigns and government and among the people," said Virginia Delegate Bonita Anthony. "He invested fully in the lives and success of others."
He is remembered as a courageous, optimistic young man who loved to travel, cook and cheer on the New England Patriots. He was guided by his faith and invested fully in the lives and success of others.
In honor of Steagall’s years of dedicated service, Attorney General of Virginia Jay Jones announced the establishment of the Dawann Steagall Jr. Public Service Internship Clinic, to be housed within Old Dominion University's Monarch Internship and Co-Op Office.
“This clinic will provide Old Dominion University students with hands-on, work-based learning experiences designed to prepare them for careers in public service — exactly what Dawann would've wanted,” said Attorney General Jones.
In addition to the clinic, Delegate Askew announced and awarded the first annual Dawann Legacy of Service Award, given to individuals whose leadership, compassion and commitment to the community reflect the values that Steagall carried throughout his life. The award was given to Cheyenne Combs, the advocacy director for Birth in Color, a Virginia-based nonprofit focused on raising awareness surrounding maternal health and reproductive justice.
“Dawann understood that real leadership is about people,” said Delegate Askew. “It’s about bringing people together, showing up when it matters, supporting others and doing the work with integrity and purpose. He cared deeply about his community, and he believed that service should make a real different in the lives of others.”
Comprehensive Care for Sickle Cell Disease
Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder that causes red blood cells to form rigid, crescent shapes. The misshaped cells have difficulty flowing through blood vessels and can block blood flow to the rest of the body, causing chronic pain, stroke, lung problems, eye problems, infections and kidney disease. According to the Virginia Department of Health, about a third of the babies diagnosed with sickle disease from 2016 to 2020 were born in Norfolk, Fairfax and Prince William counties.
In 2024, Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University partnered with Sentara Health to launch the Sentara-EVMS Comprehensive Sickle Cell Program, which brings together primary care, pain management, behavioral health, physical therapy and social work, in a collaborative hub for personalized patient care.
By taking a multidisciplinary approach and focusing on the whole patient, the program aims to improve outcomes and enhance the quality of life for those living with sickle cell disease.
Learn more about the Sentara-EVMS Comprehensive Sickle Cell Program »
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Monarch Alumnus Leaves Legacy of Change
