Healthcare advocates aim to better inform community on sickle cell realities

One in 2,400 are born with sickle cell disease (SCD) in the U.S. As one of the most common inherited blood disorders, it is widely misunderstood. Last month, the Minnesota Sickle Cell Coalition — comprised of patients, doctors, healthcare providers, and advocates — co-sponsored a Sickle Cell Disease Stakeholder Forum at Sanctuary Covenant Church in North Minneapolis. Approximately 60 healthcare professionals and others attended the Dec. 10 event to not only help improve care for those afflicted by the disease but also to increase awareness of the disease, screening and healthcare disparities. SCD is a group of inherited red blood cell disorders including Sickle Cell Anemia (Hgb SS Disease), Hemoglobin SC Disease, and Hemoglobin Sickle Beta Thalassemia. People with sickle cell disease produce abnormal hemoglobin (Hgb S), which can interrupt blood flow and prevent oxygen from getting to important parts of the body. This can cause many potential health complications, including extreme pain, risk of stroke, and pulmonary hypertension.