(Black PR Wire) – September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month. During this observance, people living with sickle cell disease, as well as their caregivers, advocates and healthcare professionals, come together to bring awareness to the disease and eliminate any myths or stigma associated with it.
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a group of inherited red blood cell disorders in which the red blood cells, typically disc-shaped and flexible, are instead crescent or “sickle,” shaped. The cells do not bend or move easily and can block blood flow throughout the body. This can lead to serious conditions such as stroke and infections, as well as eye problems and episodes of severe pain.
Did you know that sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common inherited blood disorder in the United States? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, SCD affects 90,000 to 100,000 people in the United States. SCD is most common among African Americans, although other groups like Latinos, Asians, Middle Eastern people, and Mediterranean people are affected too.
This disease is often discovered at birth when the newborn gets a routine screening checked at the hospital. People living with SCD can live a normal life, and their treatment options will depend on their symptoms. To date, the only known cure for SCD is a bone marrow or stem cell transplant, a very risky procedure that can have serious side effects.
If you would like to learn more about Sickle Cell Disease, visit the CDC webpage at https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/sicklecell.
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