Sickle cell anemia affects MILLIONS worldwide...

 

The prevalence of Sickle Cell Anemia in Dominica is more than 1 in 7 people 

 

 

Sickle cell disease is a red blood cell disorder.

 

 

Red blood cells  can become deformed into a "sickle" C shape making it difficult to

flow through blood vessels and carry oxygen.

 

 

Sickled cells can block vessels and cause stroke, infections, chest pain and organ failure.

 

 

Sickled cells die 100 days earlier than normal blood cells

 causing a constant lack of red blood cells. 

 

 

Anemia in sickle cell patients cause dizziness, difficulty breathing, 

delayed growth and fatigue.

 

 

Overall, people who suffer sickle cell anemia live 20-30 years shorter than those without the disease.