The organizer of the event, Dr. Lametra Scott, founder of Breaking the SSickle Cell Cycle Foundation, Inc, discussed the source of her passion with raising awareness for this disease... her beautiful son, RJ. RJ has Sickle Cell Anemia, type SS. Sickle Cell Anemia is a disorder of the blood caused by an inherited abnormal hemoglobin (the oxygen-carrying protein found in the red blood cells). The abnormal hemoglobin causes distorted, crescent-shaped (sickled) red blood cells, that break apart easily. When they break, it causes anemia. Sickled red blood cells have a short life span, living only 10-20 days, as opposed to the 120-day life span of healthy blood cells. The damaged cells clump together and stick to the walls of blood vessels, blocking blood flow. This results in severe pain and permanent damage to the brain, heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, bones and spleen. Severe pain is an emergency referred to as acute sickle cell crisis, with infection and dehydration as common triggers. Sickle cell disease is most common among Africans and African-Americans.
Dr. Scott was unaware of her sickle cell trait status and received the news during one of her prenatal exam visits that, because she and her son's father carried the trait, there was a 25% change their son could be born with sickle cell disease. Although the news was very unsettling, Dr. Scott is a strong believer and she trusted God to make the final decision in her unborn child's status. Following her son's birth, she and her husband had him tested. It took a third test to officially confirm his medical status... he had sickle cell disease. She realized, after the turn of events, that many healthcare providers are not adequately educated on this disease, and as a result, patients are at a disadvantage and often times suffer needlessly. Dr. Scott began to research and educate herself on this chronic condition and discovered that it is not just the medical personnel; many people within our community are not educated on the disease, how to prevent it and how to properly care for themselves following diagnosis. After months of research and contemplation, her true purpose finally became clear, and she founded the Breaking the SSickle Cell Cycle Foundation, Inc, a foundation dedicated to educating the community, raising awareness and encouraging individuals to get tested.
The Breaking the SSickle Cell Cycle Foundation, Inc. recently hosted a Bowl-A-Thon, where attendees had a fun time in fellowship, received information, got tested, and had the opportunity to donate to this worthy cause.
If you would like to donate to the Breaking the SSickle Cell Cycle Foundation and their education and awareness efforts, please visit https://www.gofundme.com/btsscycle. For more information, email btsscycle@gmail.com.
Dr. Scott was unaware of her sickle cell trait status and received the news during one of her prenatal exam visits that, because she and her son's father carried the trait, there was a 25% change their son could be born with sickle cell disease. Although the news was very unsettling, Dr. Scott is a strong believer and she trusted God to make the final decision in her unborn child's status. Following her son's birth, she and her husband had him tested. It took a third test to officially confirm his medical status... he had sickle cell disease. She realized, after the turn of events, that many healthcare providers are not adequately educated on this disease, and as a result, patients are at a disadvantage and often times suffer needlessly. Dr. Scott began to research and educate herself on this chronic condition and discovered that it is not just the medical personnel; many people within our community are not educated on the disease, how to prevent it and how to properly care for themselves following diagnosis. After months of research and contemplation, her true purpose finally became clear, and she founded the Breaking the SSickle Cell Cycle Foundation, Inc, a foundation dedicated to educating the community, raising awareness and encouraging individuals to get tested.
The Breaking the SSickle Cell Cycle Foundation, Inc. recently hosted a Bowl-A-Thon, where attendees had a fun time in fellowship, received information, got tested, and had the opportunity to donate to this worthy cause.
Until next time, Peace, Love and Light!
Angela
The Creative Director
