{"id":13284,"date":"2026-09-03T17:44:21","date_gmt":"2026-09-03T17:44:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jamaicahospital.org\/newsletter\/?p=13284"},"modified":"2026-09-03T17:44:21","modified_gmt":"2026-09-03T17:44:21","slug":"national-sickle-cell-awareness-month","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jamaicahospital.org\/newsletter\/national-sickle-cell-awareness-month\/","title":{"rendered":"National Sickle Cell Awareness Month"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month, a month that addresses the challenges patients, their families, and caregivers <\/span>experience\u00a0and provides an opportunity to increase public knowledge and understanding of sickle cell disease and traits.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sickle cell disease is a group of inherited red blood cell disorders that affect hemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen through the body. It is the most common inherited blood disorder in the United States. The disease gets its name from the abnormal crescent or \u201csickle\u201d shape that some red blood cells develop. These abnormal red blood cells block blood flow, resulting in recurring episodes of pain.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sickle cell disease is a lifelong disease affecting more than 100,000 people in the United States and 20 million worldwide. In the U.S., most people who have sickle cell disease are of African ancestry or identify themselves as Black. About one in 13 Black or African American babies are born with the sickle cell trait, and about one in every 365 Black or African American babies are born with sickle cell disease. Many people who come from Hispanic, Southern European, Middle Eastern, or Asian Indian backgrounds also have sickle cell disease.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There are several symptoms of sickle cell disease. Early symptoms can include:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n