World Sickle Cell Day

The United Nations designated a day to increase sickle cell awareness nationally and internationally, and it is regarded as World Sickle Cell Day. On December 22, 2008, The United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution recognizing sickle cell disease as a public health issue and “one of the world’s leading genetic diseases.” The resolution encourages members to increase sickle cell awareness on a national and international scale on June 19 of every year.

INFORMATION ABOUT SICKLE CELL DISEASE

Sickle cell disorders are a group of diseases that affect red blood cells. Sickle cell disease is a genetic disorder, which implies that it is passed on by your parents, and you are born with it; you cannot contract it from other people.

Sickle cell disease allows blood cells, which are normally spherical and flexible, to stiffen and become sickle-shaped, prohibiting blood cells and the oxygen they bring from flowing freely across the body and resulting in pain. This can result in severe pain episodes. These severe episodes are known as sickle cell crises. To control the pain, they are given strong analgesics such as morphine. People with sickle cell disease are also susceptible to acute chest syndrome, stroke, blindness, bone injury, and priapism (a penile erection that is persistent and painful). Organs such as the lungs, kidney, liver, heart, and spleen may be damaged in sickle cell patients over time. Complications of the disorder may also lead to death. The majority of sickle cell treatment is focused on treating and preventing complications.

EPIDEMIOLOGY OF SICKLE CELL DISEASE

According to estimates, one in every 400500 African American newborns and one in every 1,000-1,400 Hispanic newborns is born with SCD. Due to high birth rates and under-diagnosis in the population, Latinos are expected to outnumber African Americans hospitalized in California hospitals for SCD by 2013. All states in the United States now screen newborns for Sickle cell disease. It is estimated that one in every ten to twelve adult African

Americans carries the SCD genetic trait. If both parents are carriers, each offspring has a one in four probability of developing SCD.

Currently, the only treatment for SCD is a stem cell transplant that entirely replaces the patient’s immune system. The stem cells could be derived from cord blood or bone marrow. However, due to the complications of receiving high-dose chemotherapy for a transplant, this cure is only available to the most seriously ill patients, such as children who suffer from strokes., Researchers are conducting clinical trials to make transplants accessible to more SCD patients using Reduced Intensity Chemotherapy.

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HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN WORLD SICKLE CELL DISEASE DAY

Supporters plan to mark World Sickle Cell Day, celebrated every June 19, raise awareness about red blood cell disease, and raise funds to combat it. Around the world, supporters will wear red to raise awareness of sickle cell disease (SCD), sponsor a run or walk, shave or dye their hair, and share patient experiences with local media outlets.

The event, organized by the Sickle Cell Society in the United Kingdom, is also an opportunity to help and celebrate people’s successes with sickle cell.

On its World Sickle Cell Day website, the society stated that World Sickle Cell Day is the ideal opportunity to host an event or fundraiser to educate people in your neighborhood about sickle cell disease and support those who live with it.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic puts these patients at increased risk of complications, the Sickle Cell Society recommends that participants wear masks and observe appropriate social distancing during in-person events on World Sickle Cell Day.

CONCLUSION

World Sickle Cell Awareness Day holds June 19 every year. The international awareness day is observed each year to increase understanding and public awareness of sickle cell disease and the challenges patients, caregivers, and families face.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that sickle cell disease affects approximately 100 million people worldwide, with over 300,000 children born each year. Sickle cell disease can affect people of any race, but it is more common in Hispanics and African Americans. SCD is a group of red blood cell disorders typically passed down from one’s parents. It causes a change in the oxygencarrying protein called hemoglobin found in red blood cells.