What is Sickle Cell Disease?
Although commonly associated with Africans and African Americans, sickle cell
disease is an inherited disorder of the red blood cells which also afflicts
persons of many ethnic origins, including those of Hispanic, Greek, Italian,
Sicilian, Turkish, Arabic and Portuguese heritage, among others. Sickle cell
disease is quietly devastating. Its symptoms can occur in any part of the
body. Persons with the disease are extremely vulnerable to infections. They
may also suffer from jaundice, deterioration of joints, kidney infections,
growth retardation, recurrent severe pain episodes, strokes, blindness and a
shortened life expectancy. Sickle cell disease can lead to other ailments.
These include strokes, kidney and liver problems.
Because it does not receive the notoriety of some other hereditary diseases
with a much lower incidence, sickle cell anemia might best be described as a
silent illness. Silent not only from the standpoint of not receiving an undue
amount of media coverage, but also because many of its victims do not
display the outward signs associated with someone with a serious illness.
For these reasons, one of our primary goals is community education. Only
through education can the general public become aware of the dangers of
sickle cell disease; the suffering it inflicts upon those stricken with it and the
importance of testing for the trait or carrier state. Throughout the years,
education has been one of the most extensive and important components of
the organization’s programs
A variety of resources are used to disseminate information on the latest
medical developments to the general public, sickle cell patients and their
families.
Information on sickle cell disease is now readily available through films,
printed materials and tapes. We also supply materials to students, doctors,
nurses, technicians and other health professionals through our collection of
reprints from medical journals and other sources. Every year this collection
grows, performing an important service to the community.
Although commonly associated with Africans and African Americans, sickle cell
disease is an inherited disorder of the red blood cells which also afflicts
persons of many ethnic origins, including those of Hispanic, Greek, Italian,
Sicilian, Turkish, Arabic and Portuguese heritage, among others. Sickle cell
disease is quietly devastating. Its symptoms can occur in any part of the
body. Persons with the disease are extremely vulnerable to infections. They
may also suffer from jaundice, deterioration of joints, kidney infections,
growth retardation, recurrent severe pain episodes, strokes, blindness and a
shortened life expectancy. Sickle cell disease can lead to other ailments.
These include strokes, kidney and liver problems.
Because it does not receive the notoriety of some other hereditary diseases
with a much lower incidence, sickle cell anemia might best be described as a
silent illness. Silent not only from the standpoint of not receiving an undue
amount of media coverage, but also because many of its victims do not
display the outward signs associated with someone with a serious illness.
For these reasons, one of our primary goals is community education. Only
through education can the general public become aware of the dangers of
sickle cell disease; the suffering it inflicts upon those stricken with it and the
importance of testing for the trait or carrier state. Throughout the years,
education has been one of the most extensive and important components of
the organization’s programs
A variety of resources are used to disseminate information on the latest
medical developments to the general public, sickle cell patients and their
families.
Information on sickle cell disease is now readily available through films,
printed materials and tapes. We also supply materials to students, doctors,
nurses, technicians and other health professionals through our collection of
reprints from medical journals and other sources. Every year this collection
grows, performing an important service to the community.
The Sickle Cell Association of Austin-Marc Thomas Foundation is dedicated to
serving as the bridge between the community and the medical profession in a continuing
effort to enhance and preserve the quality of life for Sickle Cell patients and their families.
serving as the bridge between the community and the medical profession in a continuing
effort to enhance and preserve the quality of life for Sickle Cell patients and their families.
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