September Is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month

Here is what you can do…

Our founder, Jimi Olaghere, is a sickle cell warrior, and we stand behind him as he continues to fight this silent disease. Silent it may be, it is a massive thing to battle, and those with sickle cell anemia can use all the help and support they can get.

This month, we celebrate the lives of those who have sickle cell disease.

What is sickle cell disease?

This disease is genetic, and it affects the red blood cells. For those affected, their red blood cells become hard and sticky resulting in various conditions due to the blood flow getting obstructed by clots. Sickle cell disease can cause infection, stroke, acute chest syndrome, and more.

There is no one-size-fits-all cure for sickle cell. Medical professionals treat the symptoms as they arise. However, bone marrow or stem cell transplant is the best single treatment for the condition. It is used only for severe cases as it poses serious risks and requires a close donor match.

What to do for Sickle Cell Awareness Month

The Congress has designated September as Sickle Cell Awareness Month, with the goal of raising awareness about the condition and funding research for its treatment.

This year, the theme is “Sickle Cell Matters”, and you can do your part in spreading the word. According to Beverley Francis-Gibson, president and CEO of Sickle Cell Disease Association, “Individuals and organizations can join our efforts to bring attention to sickle cell disease by engaging
elected officials for proclamations, hosting awareness events, distributing educational information to
dispel the myths about sickle cell disease and lighting public spaces, buildings and landmarks red.

Other things you can do:

• Donate blood to the Red Cross
• Join the Sickle Cell Awareness Month Twitter Party on Sept. 21, 23 and 25 from 12:30 to
  1:30 p.m. Register here.
• Use the hashtag #SickleCellMatters, #SickleCellAwarenessMonth,
  #SCDAA2020AwarenessMonth and #SCDSCTMatters when spreading the word.
• Visit our shop – part of the proceeds go to sickle cell patients!

Join us this September in talking about and supporting Sickle Cell Awareness.