Sickle Cell Disease

Created in Collaboration with the Sickle Cell Awareness Foundation Corp Int (SCAFCI). SCAFI is a comprehensive, non-profit organization that provides a platform for researchers, healthcare providers, and those living with sickle cell disease. Know your Sickle Cell status.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a group of inherited red blood cell disorders. Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, a protein that carries oxygen. Healthy red blood cells are round, and they move through small blood vessels to carry oxygen to all parts of the body.

In someone who has SCD, the hemoglobin is abnormal, which causes the red blood cells to become hard and sticky and look like a C-shaped farm tool called a sickle. The sickle cells die early, which causes a constant shortage of red blood cells. Also, when they travel through small blood vessels, sickle cells get stuck and clog the blood flow. This can cause pain and other serious complications (health problems) such as infection, acute chest syndrome, and stroke.