Wednesday, January 28, 2015

The Details On Sickle Cell Charities

By Ines Flores


Charity is a humanitarian act. There are a lot of charities in operation today that strive to support different causes, including those related to health problems. Sickle-cell disease or anemia refers to a hereditary disorder of blood that affects people globally. Numerous sickle cell charities are in existence and strive to offer research, care, education and support to those impacted by this disease.

Sickle cell can be extremely painful and difficult to live with. It affects people of all ages and is typically diagnosed when an individual is young. SCD is marked by an abnormality within the oxygen-carrying hemoglobin molecule of the red blood cells. This causes cells to take on a different appearance, one that is rigid and sickle-shaped or otherwise abnormal.

This disease is linked to a number of chronic and acute health conditions, including infections, stroke, sickle-cell crises, and a increased risk of fatality. People who have this disease have inherited two abnormal copies of this blood gene, one from each parent. There are subtypes that exist and vary based on the mutation of the gene. Some people might have a single copy that is abnormal and not experience traditional symptoms. Said individuals have what is called sickle-cell trait.

Charities for this health condition strive to address issues associated with the disease. They encourage and help fund research to learn about ways to better manage and even cure this problem. The money and donations raised for these organizations also go to support sufferers and their family. This might include funding educational programs that ensure people become more aware of this condition and how best to manage it. Many positive initiatives are made possible through these charities.

It is recommended that people do some research on the charity they plan to work with. Most of these can be trusted and are of high quality. However, there are scammers to be aware of. People should know where the donations are going and for what they will be employed. A lot of resources can be used to help determine the validity of such organizations. Different forms of donations, aside from money, can be given to benefit these groups.

This affects thousands worldwide. People who do not manage this condition will experience severe consequences, such as shortened lifespan. A blood test, which is often done on newborns still in the hospital, is done to determine if an individual has the disease. SCD can also be detected prior to birth. Kids with SCD are more prone to developing infections and other health problems.

No single treatment is ideal for all SCD patients. There are several options available for managing this condition. Most of the charities in support of this put money toward study and research that can provide more options for treatment, prevention and cures.

To date, the only options for more permanent relief involve stem cell or bone marrow transplants. Both are invasive and risky procedures. Many people are waiting to have bone marrow transplants as treatment, but there is a long list of those in need. Furthermore, a close match is needed to reduce the likelihood of complications. Typically these two options are only used in severe cases of SCD.




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