SICKLE CELL AWARENESS MONTH
As we wrap up Sickle Cell Awareness month, here are a few facts about Sickle Cell Diseases and a few things you can do to prepare yourself and/or help:
- About 1 in 13 African Americans carry the sickle cell trait, and many do not know they have it. • An estimated 100,000 people in the U.S. have SCD.
- Approximately 2,000 babies are born with SCD annually in the U.S.
- People of many ethnic backgrounds can have SCD.
- Latinos have the second most common incidence in the U.S.
What can sickle cell cause?
- Chronic severe and unpredictable pain
- Anemia
- Frequent infections
- Swelling in extremities
- Fatigue
- Delayed growth
- Vision problems/blindness
- Lung tissue damage
- Kidney disease
- Stroke
- Shortened life expectancy
- Damage to hip joint
So what can you do?
- Donate blood to support transfusions.
- Advocate for better treatment, education, and research.
- Educate others about sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait.
- Get tested for sickle cell trait if you are of African descent and do not know your status. • Support SCDAA as we search for a universal cure.