Get Help Through Sickle Cell Charities
Often times when a child is born with a disease, the parents are at a loss as far as where to turn for help and advice. There are many Sickle Cell charities set up around the world that can help families deal with the struggles presented by this disorder. They are able to provide support in a multitude of ways from the moment of diagnosis and on through the life of the patient.
Each of these organization provide services directly related to this condition. Some are geared toward specific needs while other are set up to cover a wide range of needs. Certain groups concentrate on providing education to patients, families, medical facilities and even the public, and others may lean more towards helping with medications and treatments or support programs.
A autosomal recessive trait disease, Sickle Cell is genetic and can only be inherited if both parents are carriers and transfer the affected gene to their child. This is a serious blood disorder affecting the red cells and the flow of oxygen to the body, resulting in pain, anemia and other issues. People who have ancestors from Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, Indian, African or some Latin American countries run a higher risk of carrying this trait and passing it on to their offspring.
Only specific tests can determine whether or not a person has been born with this disease. As a matter of standard procedure, most hospitals do blood workups on newborns within the first 48 hours of life. Many folks with high risk ancestry often choose to undergo genetic testing before or during early pregnancy to find out their chances of producing a child with Sickle Cell.
A person is born with this disease, there is no way to contract it later in life, and there is no known cure at this time. The various symptoms can be treated with medications and managed through specialized techniques. This condition is very serious and is characterized by painful episodes, severe anemia, possible organ and bone damage as well as complicated infections.
Several organizations are in place to help those dealing with this condition in all areas from getting the proper testing done, locating doctors and even help paying for medications if need be. They can assist families of patients in finding the best oncologists and hematologists for their needs as well as recommending a course of follow up treatment. When a person is having to undergo a procedure in a hospital away from their home, one of these groups may be able to find the loved ones temporary housing nearby.
There are organizations that raise funds primarily for the purpose of financing research facilities or helping advocates, nurses and physicians gain more credits of study in the area of this disease. Some are geared more towards improving the life quality of those suffering from the condition in various ways including providing college scholarships. There are many more ways in which they lend assistance as well.
The most common way the public receives information on this disease is through Sickle Cell charities. The educational packets they provide at various medical health facilities, as well as the conventions and seminars they sponsor are instrumental in teaching people how to understand and treat this condition. Through counseling and advocacy services, they are working hard to dispel the stigma and misconceptions often attributed to this affliction.
Each of these organization provide services directly related to this condition. Some are geared toward specific needs while other are set up to cover a wide range of needs. Certain groups concentrate on providing education to patients, families, medical facilities and even the public, and others may lean more towards helping with medications and treatments or support programs.
A autosomal recessive trait disease, Sickle Cell is genetic and can only be inherited if both parents are carriers and transfer the affected gene to their child. This is a serious blood disorder affecting the red cells and the flow of oxygen to the body, resulting in pain, anemia and other issues. People who have ancestors from Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, Indian, African or some Latin American countries run a higher risk of carrying this trait and passing it on to their offspring.
Only specific tests can determine whether or not a person has been born with this disease. As a matter of standard procedure, most hospitals do blood workups on newborns within the first 48 hours of life. Many folks with high risk ancestry often choose to undergo genetic testing before or during early pregnancy to find out their chances of producing a child with Sickle Cell.
A person is born with this disease, there is no way to contract it later in life, and there is no known cure at this time. The various symptoms can be treated with medications and managed through specialized techniques. This condition is very serious and is characterized by painful episodes, severe anemia, possible organ and bone damage as well as complicated infections.
Several organizations are in place to help those dealing with this condition in all areas from getting the proper testing done, locating doctors and even help paying for medications if need be. They can assist families of patients in finding the best oncologists and hematologists for their needs as well as recommending a course of follow up treatment. When a person is having to undergo a procedure in a hospital away from their home, one of these groups may be able to find the loved ones temporary housing nearby.
There are organizations that raise funds primarily for the purpose of financing research facilities or helping advocates, nurses and physicians gain more credits of study in the area of this disease. Some are geared more towards improving the life quality of those suffering from the condition in various ways including providing college scholarships. There are many more ways in which they lend assistance as well.
The most common way the public receives information on this disease is through Sickle Cell charities. The educational packets they provide at various medical health facilities, as well as the conventions and seminars they sponsor are instrumental in teaching people how to understand and treat this condition. Through counseling and advocacy services, they are working hard to dispel the stigma and misconceptions often attributed to this affliction.