Sickle Cell Information for Blood Donors, Recipients and Blood Banks

Sickle Cell Disease is an inherited chronic illness which results in anemia (low blood counts) episodes of pain and increased susceptibility to infections. Any complication, if severe or untreated can be life threatening. Immediate treatment at a hospital or sickle cell center is required under these circumstances. Transfusions may be required to prevent strokes, treat complications and increase the safety of anesthesia for surgical procedures

Contact the local Red Cross Chapter in your area and inquire about being a regular blood donor or a "Partner For Life"

"Partners For Life" are matched to sickle cell patients so you will be donating for the same individual. This limits the sickle cell patients exposure to blood antigens and minimized the likelihood of transfusion reactions.

What Else You Can Do

Invite a speaker from your local sickle cell foundation or clinic to educate your class church, civic group or staff about sickle cell disease.

Become involved in public awareness events, like walks, fun runs, kids camp and fund raisers.

Encourage blood donations and blood drives in your community, many with sickle cell need transfusions to prevent childhood strokes and other complications.

Support sickle cell research to provide new treatments

 

Web Links

1. Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplant Resources
2. Stroke Prevention and Trans Cranial Doppler -TCD Screening
3. TCD Patient Information for handouts
4. Chelation Therapy for Iron Overload
5. Visit our Chelation Conference
6. Chelation Education Coloring book
7. How to do Chelation Therapy
8. STARS Clinic for stroke prevention

   Sickle Cell Information - Why give Blood at Please Give Blood. org http://www.pleasegiveblood.org/sickle.htm

American National Red Cross headquarters in Washington, D.C.
www.redcross.org 

Blood Donation page  at http://www.givelife.org/

Giving Blood or Giving Bone Marrow

American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) at http://www.aabb.org/
National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) at http://WWW.Marrow.org/

The International Red Cross Movement

International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) at http://www.icrc.org/
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies at http://www.ifrc.org/

Send mail to aplatt@emory.edu with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 1997 Sickle Cell Information Center
Last modified: January 03, 2002