Over the past few months, I've attempted to describe Sickle Cell Disease from a personal point of view being that my family has been and still is affected by it. I have shared personal stories as well as facts on the disease and and I personally have learned a couple of new things just from doing my own research online. You may or may not recall every single thing I've shared so in order to make things a bit more concise, below are 10 facts I think you should know about SCD.
- World Sickle Cell Awareness Day, since 2008 has been held annually in order to raise awareness on sickle cell disease and the struggles they and their families go through.
- In 1999, a purple and fuschia ribbon were adopted by the Have A Heart For Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation as a symbol to unite individuals interested in advancing the cause to improve the lives of those living with sickle cell anemia.
1. If a child is born with SCD, that means he/she has received 2 sickle cell genes, one fom each parent.
2. SCD is most common among people of African descent but can actually truly affect any race or ethnic group including caucasians.
3. No 2 sickle cell patients are the same because the disease varies in severity based on its different types.
4. Sickle Cell patients suffer great pain or crisis and also become at risk for more serious health complications like strokes, leg ulcers and gallstones.
5. Treatments and medication are available that greatly help with the management of the disease.
6. Sickle Cell is not a contagious disease like the common cold or cough but an inherited blood disorder.
7. SCD originated in at lease 4 different parts of Africa and has spread wherever else Africans have migrated.
8. SCD entered the U.S via the transatlantic slave trade and can now be found in most parts of the world.
9. SCD affects every area of the life of an adult and so must take care to follow the lifestyle advise/changes given by the doctor.
10. The only known cure for SCD is the bone marrow or stem cell transplant. This procedure is really however only safe when and effective if a related, tissue compatible donor (usually a healthy sibling) is available..
These and much more information can obviously be found online at places like www.verywellhealth.com Please continue to show love and support to sufferers because they indeed do appreciate it.
Love Always
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