September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month

Sickle cell is a blood disorder that affects red blood cells and causes them to assume an abnormal sickle shape. These sickle-shaped cells block small blood vessels, which can prevent tissue from getting proper blood flow. Blocked blood vessels can lead to spleen, lung, and heart damage, as well as stroke. There are four types of sickle cell: Sickle Cell Anemia – Caused by an abnormal type of hemoglobin called hemoglobin S. Sickle-Hemoglobin C Disease – A “mild” form of sickle cell anemia that is caused by a problem with the gene called beta globin. Sickle Beta-Plus Thalassemia – A “mild” form of sickle cell disease in which the red blood cells contain an abnormal hemoglobin called hemoglobin S and a small amount of the normal hemoglobin called hemoglobin A. Sickle Beta-Zero Thalassemia – A form of sickle cell disease in which the red blood cells contain an abnormal hemoglobin called hemoglobin S or sickle ...