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The Details On Sickle Cell Charities

By Ines Flores


Charity refers to a voluntary practice of giving that is considered a humanitarian act. There are charities that support a number of causes, including health research and education. Sickle-cell disease, also known as sickle-cell anemia, is a hereditary blood disorder that affects people all around the globe. Many sickle cell charities are in operation worldwide and strive to find a cure for this condition, as well as provide sufferers and their families with care and educational services.

Sickle cell can be extremely painful and difficult to live with. It affects people of all ages and is typically diagnosed when an individual is young. SCD is marked by an abnormality within the oxygen-carrying hemoglobin molecule of the red blood cells. This causes cells to take on a different appearance, one that is rigid and sickle-shaped or otherwise abnormal.

The disease is associated with many different acute and chronic conditions, such as sick-cell crises, increased risk of death, stroke and infections. People with this condition have taken on two abnormal copies of a gene, one from each of their parents. There are also subtypes of the disease that will differ based on the particular mutation of a gene. Some may find that a single copy is only abnormal, which is called sick-cell trait. People with this do not typically experience the same symptoms as those with the disease.

Charities for this health condition strive to address issues associated with the disease. They encourage and help fund research to learn about ways to better manage and even cure this problem. The money and donations raised for these organizations also go to support sufferers and their family. This might include funding educational programs that ensure people become more aware of this condition and how best to manage it. Many positive initiatives are made possible through these charities.

It is recommended that people do some research on the charity they plan to work with. Most of these can be trusted and are of high quality. However, there are scammers to be aware of. People should know where the donations are going and for what they will be employed. A lot of resources can be used to help determine the validity of such organizations. Different forms of donations, aside from money, can be given to benefit these groups.

This affects thousands worldwide. People who do not manage this condition will experience severe consequences, such as shortened lifespan. A blood test, which is often done on newborns still in the hospital, is done to determine if an individual has the disease. SCD can also be detected prior to birth. Kids with SCD are more prone to developing infections and other health problems.

There is no one treatment that works best for all SCD sufferers. In fact, there are many options available for treatment. Many of the charities put funds toward research and studies that can be performed to aid with future care, prevention and even reversal.

There are only a couple options considered more permanent resolutions, they include: bone marrow or stem cell transplants. These are both recognized as invasive procedures that come with many risks and potential side effects. Many patients are waiting to have bone marrow transplants done, but the demand is high and the supply is often not. For this to be successful, a close match must be available too. Usually these options are only employed for severe cases.




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