What is Sickle Cell Disease?  Sickle cell anemia (not having enough red blood cells) is a disease passed down from family to family that affects red blood cells. The cells change from circles to crescents, and this can cause clotting in veins, and causes heart attacks.

How do you get it?  It gets passed down from family to family, and starts in childhood. It is a life long disease and a life long blood disorder.

Life Expectancy  Life expectancy is shortened. Studies in USA report that an average life expectancy is 42 to 48 for males and females. In Sir Cyril Clarke’s standard text he says “Almost all children with the disease die in infancy.” (unless treated)

Diagnosis  Is usually diagnosed at birth with a blood test during newborn scans. If the child is positive with SCD, a second scan will be done to confirm.

How common is it?  It affects millions of people worldwide. It is most common among people that have ancestors from Africa, Greece, Turkey, Italy, Arabian Peninsula, India and more.  It also affects 70,000 – 80,000 people in America.