On World Sickle Cell Day, the lives of sickle cell patients are commemorated. Sickle cell disease is a serious and hereditary form of chronic anemia that leads to severe pain, irreparable damage to organs and a shortened life expectancy. Worldwide, about 300,000 babies are born with the condition every year and it mainly affects people of color. Pediatric hematologist Erasmus MC Sophia, and chair of the Sickle Cell Fund Marjon Cnossen want more attention for sickle cell disease. On June 18, buildings around the world will be lit up. This is reported by Erasmus MC.
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The red blood cells of sickle cell patients are not round, but moon- or sickle-shaped. As a result, they periodically block blood flow leading to severe pain, irreparable damage to organs and shortened life expectancy. Attacks are triggered by cold, infections and fever, pain, other forms of stress and too little drinking. Patients are therefore tired more quickly, have to take medication and wear a thick sweater while it is not so cold at all. This often leads to misunderstanding, because it is not visible from the outside.
Pediatrician-haematologist Marjon Cnossen and internist-haematologist Anita Rijneveld have been working for years to improve the treatment and cure of sickle cell disease. Cnossen: “Sickle cell disease is a rare disease in the Netherlands, but among people of color no less than one in seven people of color is a carrier and they often do not know it themselves. This awareness is very important, but so is the awareness of the condition. notice that there is now too little funding for scientific research and I would like to change that.”
World Sickle Cell Day
June 19 is World Sickle Cell Day, an annual day to commemorate the lives of all sickle cell patients worldwide. To literally ‘relieve’ the pain of patients, buildings all over the world will be lit up on Friday evening 18 June, including Erasmus MC. This is an action of the Sickle Cell Fund, for more information go to www.hetsikkelcelfonds.nl.
By: National Care Guide
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