Sickle Cell Anemia, a genetic blood condition, results in excruciating pain and sometimes fatal consequences. Red blood cells change into a sickle shape and become lodged in blood arteries. The illness disproportionately affects persons of African and Hispanic/ Caribbean ancestry but the trait has also been found in those with Middle Eastern, Indian, Latin American, Native American and Mediterranean heritage. It has been estimated that 1 in 3 people in the United States are affected by the disease and millions worldwide suffer complications from sickle cell disease. It is present in one out of every 500 African-American births and over 3 million African Americans or one out of 12 have the sickle cell trait.

 

Sickle Cell Disease can take many different forms. The most common are:

 

• Hemoglobin SS Disease (Anemia)

• Hemoglobin SC Disease (Trait)

• Sickle Beta-Plus Thalassemia

• Sickle Beta-Zero Thalassemia

 

The majority of people with sickle cell disease have Hemoglobin S, but some also produce hemoglobin C, D, or E, which are other types of defective hemoglobin. Individuals can have Sickle Cell Disease because of co-inheritance of Beta Thalassemia.

 

Historically there has not been much investment in researching the causes and treatment of SCD. There is little understanding about the relationship between SCD and pain and there have been few advancements in finding better treatments for the disease. Sickle Cell Warriors of Wisconsin promotes basic and translational research and supports initiatives to increase community participation in clinical research. Basic and clinical research efforts are important to expanding knowledge of the pathophysiology of SCD and to ensure smooth transition of scientific advances into clinical trials.