Around the world, an estimated 300,000 babies are born each year with sickle cell disease, a life-threatening condition that affects a person’s blood cells. The sickle-shaped blood cells cause pain, fatigue and shortness of breath and the condition can lead to kidney disease and strokes. Compared to other diseases, awareness is low and new treatment options have been slow in coming.
But today, World Sickle Cell Day, is a chance to bring attention to the disease, the people it affects and the promise of new treatments. Earlier this year, CSL Behring’s Jens Oltrogge, traveled to Jamaica to see first-hand the impact of the disease on the island. CSL Behring is exploring the use of gene therapy techniques to possibly treat the condition in the future.
To learn more about sickle cell disease, both the CDC and the Sickle Cell Disease Coalition offer resources.
And if you’re looking for an uplifting message in honor of World Sickle Cell Day, check out this choir. All members either have the disease or have a family member affected by the disease. They recently wowed the crowd and the judges on the show Britain’s Got Talent.
