Information On Sickle Cell Charities For Kids

By Rosella Campbell


Sickle-cell anemia or the sickle-cell disease is a disorder of the blood where red blood cells are shaped abnormally. This can lead to a host of health problems, including those that are lethal. Sickle cell charities for kids are meant to raise money to put toward awareness, research and other important programs.

Sufferers tend to have a shortened life expectancy. It used to be under 50 years old for both men and women. However, advances in knowledge and better management of disease has led to increased life span, with many patients living into their 70s or even beyond. Still, an important part of managing this disease is learning more about it.

Organizations or charities for children strive to provide money that can be placed toward more research and studies on this disease. These funds are also used to bring new awareness to the public by way of educational resources and other information. Essentially, the goal is to educate children, parents and others about managing this disorder until a cure is found.

There are many complications associated with this disease. Sufferers are at a greater risk of bacterial infections, stroke, silent stroke, osteomyelitis, cholelithiasis, avascular necrosis, opiod intolerance, infarcation and priapism, decreased immune system responses, leg ulcers, acute papillary necrosis, pulmonary hypertension and more. Many of these problems can be prevented or easily healed through proper care and a healthy lifestyle. There are several options available when it comes to managing this condition, including: bone marrow transplants, hydroxyurea, transfusion therapy, folic acid and penicillin, vaso-occlusive crises, malaria chemoprophylaxis and acute chest crisis.

These charities may put donations toward a variety of different programs and benefits. Ultimately, they focus their efforts toward supporting research, professional education, providing public information and advocacy. It is important to look into the background of the charities and organizations before contributing them, to ensure you know where the money is going and that the donation is being sent to a trusted entity. The thing that many of these groups share is the desire to find a cure for this inherited disease so that children do not have to grow up with this illness and eventually pass it on.

The first written records of this date back to the 1800s. It was in the 1900s that a lot of information was brought to light about this. The condition afflicts people of all kinds, thought it seems dominant and those who have ancestors from East India, Mediterranean countries, Middle Eastern countries and Africa.

Diagnosis is typically done at birth as part of newborn screening tests. A second test is usually done to confirm the diagnosis. Children with this disease are more prone to infection and complications. This is why early treatment and diagnosis is important to preventing serious problems.

It is crucial that children with this receive proper care on a regular basis. Guardians are expected to share all questions or concerns with health care providers. As children get older, education about this disease is recommended. Charities do their part to make resources available to people around the world as they strive to raise funds to get a cure.




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