Health and WellnessNews
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September 30, 2025September 30, 2025
A Call For Empathy, And Action: Creating Awareness For Sickle Cell.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is one of the most common inherited blood disorders in the world, yet for many patients, it remains invisible, misunderstood, and underfunded. Despite affecting millions globally, sickle cell doesn’t get the attention it urgently needs. That’s why sickle cell awareness is more than just a campaign, it’s a call for equity, empathy, and action.

What Is Sickle Cell Disease?

Sickle cell disease is a genetic disorder that affects hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. In people with SCD, red blood cells become hard, sticky, and shaped like sickles or crescent moons. These irregular cells get stuck in blood vessels, blocking oxygen flow and causing severe pain and organ damage.

Who Is Affected?

  • MILLIONS WORLDWIDE

Especially people of African, Caribbean, middle eastern, Indian, and mediterranean descent.

  • In sub-Saharan Africa, over 300,000 babies are born with SCD each year.
  • In the U.S, SCD affects about 1 in 365 black or African American births.

Key Symptoms

  • Pain crisis (sudden, intense pain)
  • Chronic fatigue
  • Frequent infections
  • Delayed growth in children
  • Organ damage and risk of stroke

Emotional And Social Impact

People with SCD often face:

  • Stigma and misunderstanding
  • Mental health struggles from chronic pain.
  • Discrimination in healthcare (especially around pain management).
  • Interrupted education and work due to frequent illness.

Why Sickle Cell Awareness Matters

Awareness helps:

  • Encourage early diagnosis through newborn screening.
  • Improve treatment access in underserved areas
  • Push for fair research funding (currently very low for SCD)
  • Break harmful myths and reduce stigma.

TREATMENT

Current treatments include: Hydroxyurea – reduces pain and hospital visits.Blood transfusion – manage complications.Bone marrow transplant – potential cure for some.Gene therapy- a new frontier, still in development

However, access remains limited, especially in low-income countries.

WHAT YOU Can DO

  • Learn and share accurate information.
  • Donate blood – It’s life saving for SCD patients.
  • Support patients and families emotionally and socially.
  • Advocate for better healthcare and funding.

Sickle cell disease may not be visible, but its effects are deeply felt.

Awareness brings change. Let’s make sure no one fights this battle alone.