❤️ SEPTEMBER IS SICKLE CELL AWARENESS MONTH: KNOW THE FACTS, KNOW YOUR STATUS & SHOW UP FOR THE WARRIORS
September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month, and this is one of those months when awareness needs to turn into action.
Sickle cell disease isn't something we should only hear about when a celebrity speaks about a health crisis or when someone we know is hospitalized. Approximately 100,000 people in the United States live with sickle cell disease, and the condition disproportionately affects Black Americans. The CDC estimates sickle cell disease occurs in about 1 out of every 365 Black or African American births.
And here's something everybody should understand:
Sickle cell disease is inherited. It is NOT contagious.
You can't catch it. You can't spread it. And having sickle cell trait is not the same thing as having sickle cell disease.
❤️ FIRST: KNOW YOUR SICKLE CELL STATUS
One of the simplest things you can do this month is learn whether you carry sickle cell trait.
A person can have the trait and live their entire life without realizing it. But if two people who carry certain abnormal hemoglobin genes have a child together, that child may inherit sickle cell disease. That's why knowing your status can be important when making family-planning decisions.
Ask your doctor about testing or check your medical records. In the United States, newborn screening programs test babies for sickle cell disease and other conditions, although adults may not know or remember their results.
🩸 GIVE BLOOD
Here's an awareness-month action that can literally help somebody.
Donate blood.
People living with sickle cell disease may need blood transfusions throughout their lives. Closely matched blood can reduce the risk of complications from repeated transfusions, and increasing the diversity of the blood-donor population can help patients find better matches.
And yes, Black blood donors are especially needed because patients are more likely to find compatible blood from donors with similar genetic ancestry.
So instead of only posting a red graphic this month, consider rolling up a sleeve.
Your donation could be somebody's lifeline.
❤️ LISTEN TO SICKLE CELL WARRIORS
Sickle cell pain can be severe.
A pain crisis can happen when sickled red blood cells interfere with normal blood flow. Sickle cell disease can also cause serious complications involving organs and increase the risk of problems including infection, stroke and acute chest syndrome.
So when somebody living with sickle cell tells you they're hurting, BELIEVE THEM.
Don't tell them:
"You don't look sick."
Don't decide how much pain somebody should be experiencing because they're smiling, working or posting on Instagram.
Invisible doesn't mean imaginary.
📢 HOW CAN YOU RAISE AWARENESS?
You don't need a huge platform. Use the one you have.
Share accurate information about sickle cell disease. Share blood drives. Support sickle cell organizations. Talk about the importance of knowing your trait status. Amplify the experiences of people actually living with the disease.
Businesses, churches, schools, fraternities, sororities, community organizations and radio stations can host blood drives, educational events and sickle cell screening initiatives.
And if you're somebody with a microphone?
USE IT.
That's exactly what we're doing.
❤️ CHECK ON YOUR PEOPLE
If you know somebody living with sickle cell disease, this month is also a good opportunity to ask:
“What do you need?”
Not what you think they need.
Maybe it's transportation after treatment. Maybe it's help with their children during a hospitalization. Maybe they need somebody to bring dinner.
Or maybe they simply need somebody who understands that living with a chronic disease can be exhausting.
❤️ AWARENESS SHOULDN'T END SEPTEMBER 30
October 1 shouldn't arrive and suddenly everybody forgets sickle cell exists.
Learn.
Get tested if you don't know your status.
Donate blood if you're eligible.
Support research.
Advocate for better treatment.
And most importantly, listen to the people living with sickle cell disease every single day.
Because awareness is cute on a T-shirt.
ACTION is what changes lives. ❤️
For information about sickle cell disease and trait,
730 BOOM RADIO
IT HITS DIFFERENT. EVERY TIME. BOOM! 💥
Comments