LEARN

"Knowledge is Power"

• Sickle Cell Disease is the most common genetic disorder in the world. It is a disorder that affects the red blood cells from being round and flexible to being sickle shaped,sticky and stiff which in turn causes pain and complications.  

• Sickle Cell is a genetic disorder that you are born with. 

• Sickle Cell Disease affects various races world wide. The major misconception is that it only affects "black" people.

• Complications can occur in any part of the body. Examples are Acute Chest Syndrome, pneumonia, necrosis and extreme pain in the joints, to name a few.

• Having the Sickle Cell Trait does not mean you have the disease, it means you are a carrier of the Sickle Cell gene. People who carry the trait typically have no symptoms, however, some symptoms could be experienced under extreme conditions, such as dehydration, low oxygen levels and mild pain.

• There is currently no universal cure for the disease. There are several treatment options such as blood transfusions, pain management, Exjade and Hydroxyurea.