Sickle cell disease is a blood disorder that affects red blood cells (RBC). The main purpose of red blood cells is to deliver oxygen to the body. Blood delivers oxygen to all of the tissues in the body.
The part of the blood that carries oxygen is called hemoglobin. Sickle cell disease is a blood disorder that affects the hemoglobin (HEE-muh-glow- bin) within the red blood cells. The main role of hemoglobin is to deliver oxygen to the cells of the body.
People with sickle cell disease have red blood cells that contain mostly hemoglobin S, an abnormal type of hemoglobin. Sometimes these red blood cells become sickle (banana) shaped, and have trouble passing through small blood vessels.
Taking Control: Teens with Sickle Cell Disease offers many details that are crucial to your health. For this reason, it is best to read only one unit of the booklet at a time.
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