Did you know September is sickle cell disease awareness month?
What do you know about sickle cell disease (SCD)? For many, not much because it’s a chronic illness that is not often publicized or discussed, but Sickle Cell Disease affects an estimated 90,000 to 100,000 people in the United States, mainly Blacks, African Americans and Hispanic Americans. I believe SCD deserves way more attention than it gets. I should know because my beautiful, smart, 12-year old daughter lives with this disease.
Did you know that sickle cell disease (SCD) affects millions of people throughout the world? It is particularly common among those whose ancestors come from sub-Saharan Africa; regions in the Western Hemisphere (South America, the Caribbean, and Central America); Saudi Arabia; India; and Mediterranean countries as Turkey, Greece and Italy, as referenced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Sickle cell:
Affects about 1 out of every 500 Blacks or African-American births; and, affects about 1 out of every 36,000 Hispanic-American births.
The sickle cell trait occurs among about 1 in 12 Blacks or African Americans? Have I caught your attention yet? Good. Let me enlighten you with some additional sickle cell knowledge and facts.
What is sickle cell disease (SCD)? SCD or sickle cell anemia is a blood disorder characterized by red blood cells that assume an abnormal, rigid, sickle shape (v. healthy red blood cells that are a round shape). Sickle cells can get stuck in small blood vessels and block the flow of blood and oxygen to organs in the body, depriving downstream tissues of oxygen. These blockages cause periodic, unpredictable episodes of severe pain attacks called “pain episode” or pain crises”. Other health risks such as, organ damage, serious infections, or even stroke can occur. The disease is chronic and lifelong.
Sickle Cell: Let’s Talk Our Way
To A Cure
By Sonya L. Moore
FEATURE