Advocacy
We encourage you to serve as an Advocate for the health of your child or loved one. Be proactive, ask your health care provider questions, learn all you can about SCD so you are well equipped with the necessary tools to provide the utmost care for your child or loved one.
Awareness
Talk about Sickle Cell Disease. Share your stories and work to establish a sustainable system of support for your child or loved one. Make your family, church, and community Aware of this life threatening disease.
Advancements
Advancements in SCD research and treatment is imperative for the continued care of SCD patients. Research is evolving and we must continue to make a concerted effort to support and promote the most advanced treatment and cure for SCD. You can help by supporting your local SCD events to: donate blood or join a local bone marrow registry; such as BeTheMatch.
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DrMinYo! Advocates for Sickle Cell Awareness
September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month and the cause is personal for DrMinYo!Her seven year-old daughter, Brooke, was diagnosed at birth and she has dedicated herself to raising awareness about the cause. Sickle cell disease (SCD) affects 90,000 to 100,000 people in the United States alone. The disease causes red blood cells to become hard and sticky and look like a C-shaped farm tool called a sickle. The sickle-shaped cells die early, which causes a constant shortage of red blood cells. Find out more information at www.cdc.gov People with SCD can live productive lives and enjoy most activities. Brooke is a second-grader and every year, DrMinYo! takes the opportunity to meet with her teachers and explain what sickle cell is and the challenges Brooke faces. For example, Brooke is very sensitive to extreme heat and cold and must be cautious about exposure. Over the past year, DrMinYo! has shared Brooke's story with many community groups and she is hoping to create awareness about the disease throughout CMS. She encourages people to donate blood regularly and register at Be the Match to join the bone-marrow donation registry. (Source: CMS Insider, 2014) |