Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a genetic blood disorder. The disease affects the red blood cells, turning the round cell into a crescent or a sickle shape, and causing the cells to stiffen. It is most common in African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and people of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Indian and Asian descent. Symptoms include frequent pain episodes; anemia causing fatigue, paleness and weakness; jaundice; and painful swelling of hands and feet. Patients are also at risk for blood clots, strokes and vision problems. There are medications to treat SCD, but a stem cell transplant (bone marrow transplant) is the only cure. Only 18% of people with SCD have a compatible donor.
Hemoglobin SS or Sickle Cell Anemia is the most common and most severe SCD and is treated with a blood transfusion. Some patients need a single transfusion and other patients require one transfusion per month. Blood donors with CEK-negative antigens provide the best match for these transfusions. One-in-three African American donors is a match. Therefore, our blood supply needs to come from a diverse group of people.
Living with SCD complications negatively impacts the quality of life and contributes to a mental health burden. Depression and anxiety are common in adults living with SCD. The mental health issues are exacerbated by pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, finding medical care and job loss.
What can we do? Educate ourselves, contribute to sickle cell research and to organizations that support SCD people, and donate blood!
If you are looking to donate blood to assist people who suffer from Sickle Cell, RPUCC hosts multiple blood drives a year with the following dates:
October 14
August 19
June 24
April 29
To sign up use the following QR code or email Diane at diannestar54@gmail.com
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