September Is Sickle Cell Awareness Month
Sickle Cell Anemia, is an inherited disease. That affects an estimated
100,000 people in the US and millions globally. The blood disorder
affects the Hemoglobin, in the red blood cells. People with Sickle
Cell Anemia produces an abnormal Hemoglobin, Hemoglobin S. Hemoglobin
S, stiffens and distorts the red blood cells into a crescent sickle
shape. The sickle-shaped red blood cells, have difficulty passing
through small blood vessels, as a result blockage occurs, causing less
blood to reach parts of the body. Tissue that does not receive normal
blood flow, eventually becomes damaged.