West Alabama Chapter
Sickle Cell Disease
Association
Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is the most common genetic disease in the world. Affecting 1 in every 500 African American births. It is an inherited disease that alters the shape of your red blood cells. Normal red blood cells are round and move easily through blood vessels and carry oxygen easily throughout your body. With SCD, red blood cells are cresent or sickle shaped. Because the hemoglobin in the blood cell is abnormal, affecting it's shape, the red blood cells cannot move as easily. Often becoming stuck in small blood vessels, blocking them and restricting the blood flow to that part of the body. Without a sufficient amount of healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body, blood supply to that part of the body can become restricted. Organs that do not receive normal blood flow become damged over time. Restricted blood flow caused by the the disease is what causes complications, and not necessarily the disease itself. Complications that range from mild fatique to more severe symptoms such as stroke, infections, and pain in the bones and chest and require medical treatments. Complications vary from person to person and although there is no cure
for SCD there are medical treatments and medicines that control or prevent the health problems caused by the disease.
Most parents pass the disease on to their children because they are unawre that they are carriers of the trait .
The West Alabama Chapter Sickle Cell Disease Association provides information on the effects and treatments associated with the likestyle of being a carrier of the disease / trait. Annually, they host a Walkathon to not only benefit the Association but to inform the community. Because many people have never been tested they also offer free onsite testing and literature on the disease.
The African American Community is riddled with a multitude of diseases that affect almost every family. We need to take the initative to not only have regular check ups (yes men, that means you too) but inform ourselves with the knowledge that may one day save our lives. Visit your local Health Department or find a family doctor. Don't wait until it is too late.
No one can take better care of you than you.