Whenever I’m asked to list the symptoms of sickle cell disease (SCD), I am always confused about where to begin. The condition is fundamentally a blood disorder, and every organ needs a steady supply of blood to survive. As a result, SCD can affect virtually any part of the…
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As a medical professional living with sickle cell anemia, I’ve chosen to dedicate myself to sickle cell advocacy and education. On this journey, I’ve realized a lot of people cannot distinguish between sickle cell disease and sickle cell anemia, including some health professionals. Today I’m using my platform to…
Part of my coping mechanism after a sickle cell crisis is to forget it ever happened. To address that, this year I started an audio journal during the recovery process as a way to self-assess where I was and note how recovery tracks for me days after a crisis.
Being a caregiver to someone with sickle cell disease isn’t a role anyone can truly prepare for. It’s a calling that finds us, and it stems from love, loyalty, and necessity. My caregiving journey began with caring for my cousin, a vibrant, witty, and spirited soul whose strength…
One of the more annoying parts of sickle cell disease is its unpredictable nature. One day, you think you understand the illness and how it affects your body. The next, sickle cell demonstrates that it’s the boss by throwing a massive curveball your way. When faced with a curveball…
As I mark four years of writing for Sickle Cell Disease News, I find myself reflecting on the journey with a deep sense of gratitude and humility. It’s incredible to think back to when I started. I was unsure of what I’d write about week after week, and yet…
World Sickle Cell Day took place on June 19, and one of my experiences that day prompted me to write about what it means to me. That day, I saw an ongoing debate by sickle cell warriors regarding the significance of the day and wanted to weigh in. On one…
I’m writing from the heart of the EHA2025 Congress, hosted by the European Hematology Association (EHA), in Milan, Italy. I’m surrounded by leading experts, researchers, and, most importantly, fellow patients who understand what it’s like to live with sickle cell disease. Conferences like this aren’t just for clinicians…
In honor of World Sickle Cell Day, held June 19, I would like to highlight some incredible U.K.-based organizations I’ve had the pleasure of working with recently. These groups are not only changing the narrative of what it means to live with sickle cell disease, but they’re also challenging…
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a dynamic condition that affects people differently. Its symptoms and complications are evident in some patients from childhood, while in others, it may be silent or asymptomatic. There is a common misconception that every child who lacks obvious symptoms or has an “asymptomatic”…
Recent Posts
- Recognizing the warning signs and symptoms of a sickle cell crisis
- US senators seek 5 more years of federal funding for stem cell program
- Adults with SCD face high risk of stroke in their 30s and 40s, study finds
- Sickle cell doctors face higher burnout than other specialists: Study
- Disease burden heavy for SCD patients in US, despite promise of gene therapy
- The conversation we avoid: Telling children they have sickle cell disease
- New study finds distinct molecular signatures in newborns with SCT
- Blood test may improve kidney damage detection in children with SCD
- Understanding the impact of leg ulcers in sickle cell disease
- Asthma seven times more likely in SCD children than in unaffected siblings