What can I do to help? Get tested and know your trait status Help raise awareness by talking about sickle cell disease to family, friends and associates Become a blood donor and, if allowed, designate your donation to a hospital that serves sickle cell patients Volunteer with your local Sickle cell Community organization for camps, program, health fairs and other activities for the kids Donate to support better research Participate in activities at your church and in your community that support sickle cell disease awareness

Frequently Asked Questions 1. What is Sickle Cell Disease? a. Sickle Cell Disease is an inherited disorder that affects red blood cells. People with Sickle Cell Disease have red blood cells that become hard and pointed instead of soft and round. Sickle cells cause anemia, pain and many other problems. 2. What is Sickle Cell Trait? b. If you've sickle cell trait, you have inherited the gene for sickle cell disease. Sickle cel trait does not turn into sickle cell disease. If someone has sickle cell trait and his/her partner has sickle cell trait they may produce a child with sickle cell disease. There are about 2.5 million people in America with sickle cell trait. 3. If sickle cell trait is not an illness, why are people tested? c. Babies are tested to see if they have sickle cell disease. Teens and adults are tested mainly to see if they can have a baby with the disease. 4. What medical problems are caused by sickle cell disease? d. Lung tissue damage, pain episodes and stroke. The blockage of blood flow caused by sickled cells also causes damage to most organs including the spleen, kidneys and liver. 5. How many people have sickle cell disease? e. Sickle cell disease is a global health problem. In the United States it is estimated that over 70,000 people have sickle cell disease. About 1000 babies are born with the disease each year in America. 6. How one does a person with sickle cell disease live? f. The average life expectancy in America has improved. It is now in the mid 40 years of age range. 7. Are people of African descent the only group affected? g. No. It is also present in Portuguese, Spanish, French, Corsicans, Sardinians, Sicilians, mainland Italians, Greeks, , Turks and Cypriots. Sickle cell disease also appears in Middle Eastern countries and Asia. 8. Is there a cure? h. There is no universal cure for sickle cell disease. Research i gene therapy, the ultimate universal cure, is currently underway. 9. What are some promising treatment developments? i. The use of hydroxyurea has shown promising results on some adult sickle cell patients. it reduces the frequency of severe pain, acute chest syndrome and the need for blood transfusions. 10. Can people with sickle cell disease live a productive life? j. Yes. But like all patients with chronic disease, sickle cell patients are best managed in a comprehensive multi-disciplinary program of care and a strong extended support system.

Facts about Sickle Cell Disease in the United States -source: Sickle Cell Disease Association of America- 1. Sickle Cell Disease is an inherited blood disorder which constitutes a global health problem. 2. Approximately 100,000 Americans are living with the disease. 3. One in every 500 African Americans and one in every 36,000 Hispanic Americans is born with Sickle Cell Disease. 4. Many more Americans perhaps as many as 2.5 million-including 1 in 12 African Americans are carriers for Sickle Cell Trait. 5. Given that these carriers are generally unaffected by Sickle Cell Disease complications, many are unaware that their children are at increased risk for the disease. 6. In November 2010, the world recognized the 100th year anniversary since the discovery of the disease. 7. Dr.James B. Herrick, an attending physician at Presbyterian Hospital and professor of medicine at Rush Medical College in Chicago, Illinois, published an article on the case of an anemic West Indian patient. 8. Herrick's clinical and laboratory findings of the patient's "peculiar elongated and sickle-shaped" red blood corpuscles represent the first description of sickle cell anemia in Western medical literature. 9. Despite the many strides that have been made to improve the lives of those living with sickle cell disease, the Sickle Cell Disease community still face numerous challenges. For instance: -The average life expectancy of a person with Sickle Cell Disease is still relatively young at 45 years old. -Presently there is only one medication that has been FDA approved to treat those with the disease. -There is an overwhelming shortage of physicians (primarily hematologists) that treat or specialize in Sickle Cell Disease which makes it difficult for patients to find a primary physician. -To date there is no comprehensive model of care within federal agencies to help reduce the major healthcare complexities that Sickle Cell Disease patients encounter. -Though one of the oldest diseases existing, Sickle Cell Disease receives a significantly disproportionate amount of funding for research and treatment compared to other diseases, particularly blood disorders. -Most importantly, 100 years since its discovery.....there is still no cure.

September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month!!!!! Today is September 18, 2011. Today is Sickle Sabbath Sunday 2011. Sickle Sabbath Sunday is a national faith day to raise awareness and charitable giving within congregations for sickle cell disease. This is a health initiative is by the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education "Solidarity with the Savior through His Word", which is an auxiliary to the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. As a national partner of the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education encourages our member churches to conduct sickle cell awareness and education activities on Sickle Sabbath Sunday.

Who is most likely to have Sickle Cell Disease?

Sickle cell Disease affects millions of people throughout the world. It is common in people whose origins are:

African, Mediterranean, Arabian, and Indian (Asian)

People with Sickle Cell predominantly live in Africa, North America, South America, Central America, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, the Middle East, India, and Western Europe.

In the United States, Sickle Cell Disease affects approximately 1 in 400 African American newborns and, 1 in 1,000 to 1,400 Hispanic American newborns.

About 3 million Americans carry the Sickle Cell Trait and approximately 1 in 12 African Americans have the Sickle Cell Trait.

Relief For Sickle Cell Symptoms

According to research, if there was a way to effectively increase nitric oxide production in the body, people suffering from sickle cell anemia would finally be able to do something to relieve and eliminate their painful symptoms. There are speculations that sometime in the future there will be a way to produce adequate amounts of nitric oxide.

Nitric oxide in gaseous form can be delivered through breathing it in through the lungs. The effects are limited because nitric oxide is highly reactive so concentrations must be kept low or it would cause damage.

There is a safe and natural product that has been developed a decade ago that effectively produces nitric oxide in your body. It is called Hemoxide.

Hemoxide contains two important types of nutrients. One supplies the molecular building blocks needed to produce nitric oxide in the body. The other stimulates nitric oxide production. Hemoxide works to produce nitric oxide in your body, which in turn improves the circulation and helps to relieve the symptoms caused by having sickle cell anemia.

In addition to Hemoxide, another recommended product is Rejuvin, The water of Life.
Rejuvin can rejuvenate and refresh your blood cells so the sickle cells work more efficiently.

It is a top product for every autoimmune disease, Alzheimer's, arthritis, diabetes, osteoporosis, cancer and more.

Hemoxide Is Unique and Rejuvin Heals And Prevents Disease.

Sickle Cell Crisis Precautions For Children And Adults

General Precautions

Have regular physical examinations every three to six months.

Have periodic and careful eye examinations.

Have sufficient rest, warmth, and increased fluid intake.

Avoid conditions, such as crowds, that increase risk for infections.

Avoid excessive demands on the body that would increase oxygen needs. Low impact exercise may be useful and safe for maintaining strength, particularly in the legs and hips, but patients should consult their physician about any exercise program.

Avoid high altitudes if possible. If flying is necessary, be sure that the airline can provide oxygen.

Do not smoke, and avoid exposure to second-hand smoke.

Dietary Factors and Supplements

You should drink as much water as possible each day to prevent dehydration. Females should include cranberry juice to help prevent urinary tract infections.

It is important to have 5 to 9 daily servings of green, red, and yellow vegetables, fruits, or juices that are rich in antioxidants and other important nutrients.

Protein is important for people living with sickle-cell.