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Understanding Sickle Cell Disease

Education is the foundation of support. Here is what every person, family, and community should know.

What Is Sickle Cell Disease?

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a serious inherited blood disorder that affects the shape and function of red blood cells. In a healthy body, red blood cells are round and flexible, moving easily through blood vessels to deliver oxygen throughout the body.

In individuals with SCD, red blood cells become rigid and crescent-shaped — like a sickle. These misshapen cells can get stuck in blood vessels, blocking blood flow and causing severe pain, organ damage, and a range of life-threatening complications.

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Who Is Affected?

Sickle Cell Disease affects millions of people worldwide and is especially prevalent among individuals of African, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and South Asian descent.

Approximately 100,000 Americans live with Sickle Cell Disease

1 in 365 Black or African American babies is born with SCD

1 in 13 Black or African American babies is born with Sickle Cell Trait

SCD affects people across all ages, from infancy through adulthood

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Common Symptoms

  • Episodes of severe pain (called pain crises or vaso-occlusive crises)

  • Anemia and chronic fatigue

  • Swelling of hands and feet

  • Frequent infections

  • Delayed growth and puberty in children

  • Vision problems

  • ​Stroke and acute chest syndrome (serious complications)

Sickle Cell Trait vs. Sickle Cell Disease

SICKLE CELL TRAIT

A person inherits one sickle cell gene from one parent and one normal gene from the other. They are a carrier but typically do not have symptoms. However, they can pass the gene to their children.

SICKLE CELL DISEASE

A person inherits two sickle cell genes — one from each parent. This results in a chronic, serious medical condition requiring ongoing management and care.

Treatment & Management

While there is no universal cure for Sickle Cell Disease, significant advancements in treatment have improved quality of life for those living with SCD.

  • Hydroxyurea medication to reduce pain crises

  • Blood transfusions

  • Bone marrow or stem cell transplants (currently the only potential cure for some patients)

  • Gene therapy (emerging treatments showing significant promise)

  • Pain management and supportive care

  • Regular medical monitoring and specialist care

Blood Sample Analysis
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Why Awareness Matters

Despite affecting hundreds of thousands of Americans, Sickle Cell Disease remains one of the most underfunded and under-researched conditions in the United States. Raising awareness leads to earlier diagnosis, better access to care, and stronger community support networks for warriors and families.

The Joyelle Strong Foundation is committed to changing that — one conversation, one community, one family at a time

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