Sickle Cell Disease
Sickle Cell Statistics
It is estimated that Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) affects approximately 100,000 Americans. SCD occurs among about 1 out of every 365 Black or African-American births. SCD occurs among about 1 out of every 16,300 Hispanic-American births. About 1 in 13 Black or African-American babies is born with sickle cell trait (SCT). In South Carolina it is estimated that up to 4,500 people have SCD. The life expectancy of someone with SCD is 54 years of age.
How do Sickle Cells affect the body?
Normal red blood cells are round and easily flow through the body delivering oxygen to tissue throughout the body. In someone with SCD, red blood cells harden and form in the shape of a sickle, which do not flow freely through the body. These sickle shaped cells can also become stuck in blood vessels and deprive delivery of hemoglobin, Since SCD functions through the body’s circulatory system, Sickle Cell Disease can deprive any part of the body of necessary oxygen which makes it difficult to treat.
What's it like living with Sickle Cell?
I was diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease in elementary school after several visits to the hospital with unexplained joint pain, shortness of breath, and multiple respiratory infections. A doctor finally tested me for Sickle Cell through a blood test. Sickle Cells were present, so my younger sister was also tested, she had SCD also. My formative years were full of acute Sickle Cell outbreaks which would land me in the hospital once or twice a year for weeks at a time. As an adult, Sickle Cell has deteriorated my hips which likely mean hip replacement in the near future. I have learned to manage my physical activity and stress to know what my limits are, but a scary reality is that there are not as many medical facilities that specialize in SCD and I have been in situations where I need care and I have to provide care instructions.
Jonah B. age 38
