Sickle Cell Project NWO

Did You Know?

NHA community health centers accept most insurance, including Medicaid and Medicare. Health care assistance on a sliding fee scale is available for those who are underinsured or uninsured.

SICKLE CELL PROJECT

The Sickle Cell Project of Northwest Ohio, in partnership with St. Vincent and Promedica Health Systems at Neighborhood Health Association (NHA) provides:

Services are available for children, adults, and families who are affected by abnormal hemoglobin, such as sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait.

WE CAN HELP

From birth through adulthood, the Sickle Cell Project of Northwest Ohio at NHA offers and coordinates various services to those affected by an abnormal hemoglobin type.

SERVICES

  • Newborn hemoglobin screening follow-up
  • Hemoglobinopathy counseling
  • Genetic and prenatal counseling
  • Collaborative comprehensive pediatric clinical services
  • Group and individual support to people affected by a sickle cell disease
  • Referral coordination
  • Education and training programs for professionals and providers
  • Education programs for consumers, family members, and the community

WHAT IS SICKLE CELL DISEASE?

Sickle Cell Disease is an inherited, lifelong blood disease caused by the presence of abnormal hemoglobin in red blood cells. Hemoglobin is the part of the blood that carries oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body. When the abnormal hemoglobin in the red blood cell gives up its oxygen, it becomes curved or sickle shaped. These “sickle cells” block blood vessels and can cause pain and even damage various organs of the body.

COMMON SICKLE CELL DISEASES

  • Sickle Cell Anemia
  • Sickle Hemoglobin C Disease
  • Sickle–Beta Thalassemia Disease

GET THE FACTS

SICKLE CELL TRAIT

  • never becomes sickle cell disease
  • affects 1 in 12 African Americans
  • if both parents have the trait, they have a 25% (or 1 in 4) chance with each pregnancy of having a child with sickle cell disease
  • approximately 3 million people living in the United States have sickle cell trait and many are unaware of their status

SICKLE CELL DISEASE

  • affects approximately 100,000 Americans
  • sickle cell anemia is the most common and severe form of the disease

SICKLE CELL DISORDERS:

  • are inherited
  • are not contagious
  • have been screened for at birth in Ohio since 1990
  • are common in persons whose ancestors came from sub-Saharan Africa, Spanish-speaking regions in the Western Hemisphere (South America, the Caribbean, and Central America); Saudi Arabia; India; and Mediterranean countries such as Turkey, Greece, and Italy.

OUR PARTNERS IN SERVICE

The Sickle Cell Project of Northwest Ohio is operated in partnership with the UTMC, ProMedica Toledo Children’s Hospital and St. Vincent Mercy Children’s Hospital. Throughout our regional service area, we work closely with hospitals, physicians, counselors, health departments, and support groups to ensure comprehensive treatment and assistance. The services of the Sickle Cell Project of Northwest Ohio are available in 11 counties including: Defiance, Erie, Fulton, Henry, Huron, Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky, Seneca, Williams, and Wood.

CONTACT US

For more information regarding program services, please call 419.255.7883.