St. Vincent and the Grenadines joined with countries around the world to observe World Sickle Cell Day yesterday.
The local Sickle Cell Association hosted an outreach activity to sensitize the public about Sickle Cell Disease.
Co-ordinator of the SVG Sickle Cell Association Dr. Rosemary Boyle said yesterday’s awareness activity was well received by the public.
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a group of blood disorders typically inherited from a person’s parents.
The most common type is known as sickle cell anaemia, which results in an abnormality in the oxygen-carrying protein haemoglobin found in red blood cells.
This leads to a rigid, sickle-like shape under certain circumstances.
Problems in sickle cell disease typically begin around 5 to 6 months of age, and a number of health problems may develop, such as attacks of pain, anemia, swelling in the hands and feet, bacterial infections and stroke.
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