What To Know About Sickle Cell Charities For Kids

By Rosella Campbell


Sickle-cell anemia or the sickle-cell disease is a disorder of the blood where red blood cells are shaped abnormally. This can lead to a host of health problems, including those that are lethal. Sickle cell charities for kids are meant to raise money to put toward awareness, research and other important programs.

Those who have this condition usually have a shortened life. In the past, men and women with this were not expected to live beyond 50. Advancements in medicine have led to better disease management and now the life span is approximated at 70 years old, although some people live beyond that. A key to management of the disease is knowledge.

Organizations or charities for children strive to provide money that can be placed toward more research and studies on this disease. These funds are also used to bring new awareness to the public by way of educational resources and other information. Essentially, the goal is to educate children, parents and others about managing this disorder until a cure is found.

There are many complications associated with this disease. Sufferers are at a greater risk of bacterial infections, stroke, silent stroke, osteomyelitis, cholelithiasis, avascular necrosis, opiod intolerance, infarcation and priapism, decreased immune system responses, leg ulcers, acute papillary necrosis, pulmonary hypertension and more. Many of these problems can be prevented or easily healed through proper care and a healthy lifestyle. There are several options available when it comes to managing this condition, including: bone marrow transplants, hydroxyurea, transfusion therapy, folic acid and penicillin, vaso-occlusive crises, malaria chemoprophylaxis and acute chest crisis.

These charities usually put the money they collect toward a variety of programs. Their efforts are typically focused on research, public information, advocacy and education. It is highly recommended that individuals do research on the organization or charity before putting forth a donation. Although most are doing honest work, there are some that are not. These groups all strive to find a cure for the disease and support those with it as much as possible.

What is believed to be the first written account of this condition was from around the 1840s. The 1900s saw a lot more information about this condition come to light. This disease afflicts many people around the globe, but appears to be more prevalent among those with ancestry linking them to the Middle East, Mediterranean countries, East India and Africa.

Diagnosis is usually done at birth through a blood test, which is routine for newborn screening. A child that tests positive on this screen will received a second blood test, known as hemoglobin electrophoresis, to confirm this diagnosis. Children that have this disease are more likely to get an infection or other complications, which is why early diagnosis and treatment is important as a preventative measure.

It is crucial that children with this receive proper care on a regular basis. Guardians are expected to share all questions or concerns with health care providers. As children get older, education about this disease is recommended. Charities do their part to make resources available to people around the world as they strive to raise funds to get a cure.




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