Sickle
Cell Disease(SCD) is an inherited blood disorder that causes
the distortion, or “sickling,” of red blood cells. It
occurs when a child like our poster child for 2007/8, Neneh-Iye inherits a sickle
cell gene from each parent.
SCD affects millions of people
throughout the world, in countries such as West and Central
Africa,
South America, Cuba, Central
America, India, Middle East and Mediterranean
countries. It is particularly common among people of African
ancestry. In Canada, approximately 1 in 600 have the disease
and approximately
1 in 10 people are carriers of the sickle cell trait.
In
SCD, the red blood cells contain an
abnormal type of hemoglobin. Unlike normal red blood
cells that are usually smooth and donut-shaped, these red blood
cells become stiff and assume a sickle-shape (crescent shaped)
and have difficulty passing through small blood vessels. When
sickle-shaped cells block small blood vessels, less blood can
reach that part of the body. The sickle cells also block the flow
of blood through vessels resulting in pain episodes (arms, legs,
chest and abdomen) lung tissue damage (acute chest syndrome) and
strokes. Oftentimes, their illness causes them to be absent from
school for extended period of time.
Children who have SCD often
experience periods of “crisis,” acutely painful episodes
of symptoms such as fever and swelling of the joints. These symptoms
usually manifest when a child is about two years old.
Other related medical complications
include pneumonia, blood and respiratory infections that can
lead to permanent physical disabilities. Even with constant
care and
medical supervision, sickle cell disease can be fatal.
Currently, there is no known cure for
SCD. However,
effective medical care, such as painkillers and blood transfusions,
make it possible for those who have the disease to better cope with
the complications.
For more information about Sickle Cell
Disease,
please contact: The Sickle Cell Association of Ontario
3199 Bathurst Street
North York, ON
M6A 2B2
Phone: (416) 789-2855
Four-year-old
Isaiah Adeshigbin has sickle cell disease, an
inherited blood disorder for which Ontario now includes in the screening of newborns, after a long campaign by the Sickle Cell Association of Ontario and supporters like Camp Jumoke.
Eearly
detection and treatment can reduce mortality by
84 per cent. Three of the Adeshigbin family's
five children have sickle cell. The eldest son,
20-year- old Abbey, suffered a stroke from the
disease at age 5.
[read the Adeshigbin story]
Online Giving
In
an effort to make it even easier for you to help us help children
with Sickle Cell Disease, we have acquired the service of CanadaHelps.org
to facilitate your online donation.
Click the logo above or follow this link to Donate Online to Camp Jumoke.
Other related medical complications
include pneumonia, blood and respiratory infections that can
lead to permanent physical disabilities. Even with constant
care and
medical supervision, sickle cell disease can be fatal. 
