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World Sickle Cell Day, observed annually on June 19, aims to raise awareness about sickle cell disease and its impact on individuals and communities worldwide.
Sickle cell anemia is an inherited form of anemia characterized by a lack of healthy red blood cells to transport adequate oxygen throughout the body. Normally, red blood cells are flexible and round, allowing them to move easily through blood vessels. However, in sickle cell anemia, these cells become rigid, sticky, and shaped like sickles or crescent moons. These irregular cells can block or slow blood flow and oxygen delivery to various parts of the body.
This condition is caused by a mutation in the gene responsible for producing hemoglobin, the iron-rich compound in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. The abnormal hemoglobin in sickle cell anemia causes red blood cells to become rigid, sticky, and misshapen.
For individuals who carry the sickle cell trait, genetic counseling before conception can help assess the risk of having a child with sickle cell anemia. Genetic counselors can provide information on potential treatments, preventive measures, and reproductive options.
One promising treatment for sickle cell anemia is Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) (also called bone marrow transplant or stem cell transplantation) . Although HSCT has been used to treat cancer since the 1960s, its application in sickle cell disease is relatively recent. This procedure aims to ‘reset’ the immune system by replacing the harmful immune cells that attack the central nervous system with a person’s own stem cells, potentially halting disease progression and preventing further damage.
For detailed and free counseling, please reach out to our local representative or call : +1(302)4519218 or email us at mozo@mozocare.com. Together, we can advance the care and understanding of sickle cell disease globally.
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