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MCC Daily Tribune

National Sickle Cell Awareness Month

National Sickle Cell Awareness Month is held every September to raise awareness and attention for sickle cell disease. The ultimate aim is to drive research and treatment options to give those affected by this illness a better quality of life.

HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL SICKLE CELL AWARENESS MONTH

  1. Check for events online

    Foundations and organizations — including the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America — host various events, races, summits, fundraisers, and even Twitter parties throughout September. Learn more about them, and see if you can attend a few events.

  2. Donate blood

    One way to contribute to the cause is to donate your blood. You can make appointments with the American Red Cross or visit local health centers to donate your blood.

  3. Donate money

    Consider putting some money towards this cause and donating to charities working towards sickle cell treatment. Fund trials, research, or homes treating people afflicted with this illness.

5 FACTS ABOUT SICKLE CELL DISEASE

  1. It is most common among African Americans

    Although other groups — Latinos, Asians, Middle Eastern people, Mediterranean people — are affected, too, it is most common among African Americans.

  2. This is a group of blood disorders

    The most common type of this is sickle cell anemia (SCA).

  3. People need to test for this

    People often don't know they have sickle cell trait — when a child inherits the sickle cell gene from its parents but does not have the disease — as it does not cause illness; that is why they need to be tested.

  4. Treatment differs for different people

    There is no single accepted treatment plan for sickle cell disease; each person is treated based on their symptoms and type of disorder.

  5. People with this disease can live well

    95% of newborns with sickle cell disease make it to adulthood, provided they live healthily, follow precautions, and seek treatment regularly, as per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

WHY NATIONAL SICKLE CELL AWARENESS MONTH IS IMPORTANT

  1. Building a community of helpers and advocates

    The more people who know and understand this illness, the better-equipped people will be to deal with it. Members can even start collaborating for common causes and join hands to better the lives of those afflicted with this disease.

  2. Improves our understanding of the illness

    Events held this month help those living with the disease, and those whose lives it has touched. It even increases screening for this illness.

  3. Accelerates treatment and cure

    As we address key issues faced by people with this illness, we stand a bigger chance of getting the word out there. The more people that learn and share their stories, the better chances we have to advocate for more treatment, medicines, and even a cure for this illness.

Sarah Benedict
MCC Wellness Council
09/29/2022