June 19th is World Sickle Cell Day. June 15th to June 21st is National Sickle Cell Awareness Week
- Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder.
- “People with sickle cell disease have red blood cells that are crescent (or sickle) shaped. This abnormal shape makes it difficult for the cells to travel through the blood vessels. As the sickle cells clog the blood vessel, they can block blood flow to various parts of the body, causing painful episodes (known as sickle cell crises) and raise the risk of infection. In addition, sickle cells die earlier than healthy cells, causing a constant shortage of red blood cells, also known as anemia.”
- Hundreds of thousands of people worldwide are affected by SCD.
- It is estimated that one in ten Grenadians have Sickle Cell Trait. Trait is not the same as SCD.
- “People with SCT have both normal red blood cells and some sickle-shaped red blood cells. Most people with SCT do not have any symptoms of sickle cell disease but they can pass on both Trait and SCD to their children.
- When two people with Trait have a child they have a 25% chance of the child being born with SCD. That’s a one in four chance, for every pregnancy.
- A simple blood test will let you know if you have Trait.
- This allows you to make informed decisions about the care and health of your family.
- Be wise. Get tested.
- For further information consult your health care provider or contact Sickle Cell Association of Grenada (SCAG). Ph. (473) 458-6399. Email grenadasc@
gmail.com or visit the Facebook page http://facebook.com/ SickleCellGrenada
Did you know that the first person in the world to be identified with sickle cell disease was a Grenadian, Walter Clement Noel? This important discovery was made in the early 1900s while Noel was a dental student in the US. Dr. W. C. Noel is laid to rest in the Catholic Cemetery in Sauteurs. We recognise and honour Walter Clement Noel on June 21st, his birthday.
