Sickle cell anemia affects one out of every 500 African-American babies. (Photo: Getty Images)
Thursday, June 19, is World Sickle Cell Awareness Day. An estimated 90,000 to 100,000 Americans, primarily African American, have sickle cell anemia. It affects approximately one out of every 500 African-American babies.
To help, you can give blood through the American Red Cross Sickle Cell Donor Program. People with sickle cell anemia depend on blood transfusions to stay healthy and avoid life-threatening complications like heart disease. You can also support the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America’s efforts to raise funds for research to find a cure.
