Wellness Wednesday – World Sickle Cell Day with Nurse Lauren

World Sickle Cell Day is June 19 every year.  This day is observed annually and the main goal is to increase public knowledge and an understanding of sickle cell disease, while highlighting the unique challenges that patients, their families and caregivers experience. SCD affects approximately 100,000 Americans. Sponsored by The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (@SCDAAorg) this Saturday will consist of many events around the country while opportunities to get involved and spread the word.

What is Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)?  Sickle cell disease is a blood disorder that affects red blood cells. It is inherited. The disease means that the red blood cells contain mostly an abnormal type of hemoglobin:  hemoglobin S. The red blood cells have difficulty passing through small blood vessels because they  become sickle-shaped. When these blockages happen in the blood vessels, less blood reaches that part of the body and eventually causes damage due to abnormal blood flow to the tissue.

Ways to get involved on World Sickle Cell Day:

Lift Every Voice to Shine the Light on Sickle Cell Spoken Word Contest
The first ever “Lift Every Voice to Shine the Light on Sickle Cell” spoken word contest is sponsored by Global Blood Therapeutics, Inc. (@GBT_news) and SCDAA. Giving a voice to the SCD community is the main goal of this event. Anyone living with Sickle Cell Disease or those affected by it as a caregiver, is invited to sign up to submit original spoken word piece about their experience with SCD. To learn more about the contest details and how to submit a video, please email patientevents@sicklecellspeaks.info or visit www.facebook.com/SickleCellSpeaks.

Shine the Light on Sickle Cell
Sickle cell Improvement across the NorthEast Region through Education, SiNERGe,  (@SiNERGeSCD) , and the SCDAA will hold “Shine the Light on Sickle Cell,” a 24-hour awareness campaign, on June 19. This national awareness effort encourages community-based organizations, individuals, and anyone concerned about sickle cell disease. Learn more about Shine the Light and get involved by visit the Shine the Light website, and share that you’ll be participating on Facebook.

Give Blood!
Join SCDAA in their campaign to promote diverse blood donations for World Sickle Cell Day!. Check out these opportunities and initiatives to give blood:

• Host Your Own Blood Drive with the American Red Cross
• Historically Black Colleges and Universities 16-Day Challenge | Hosted by the American Red Cross in partnership with SCDAA
• Dreamsickle Kids and JET Foundations World Sickle Cell Day Blood Drive | Hosted by SCDAA member organization Dreamsickle Kids (Las Vegas, Nevada)
• Changing the World Blood Drive | Hosted by SCDAA member organization Bridging the Gap Adult Sickle Cell Disease Foundation (Las Vegas, Nevada)
• World Sickle Cell Day Diversity Blood Drive | Hosted by SCDAA member organization Ohio Sickle Cell and Health Association (Columbus, Ohio)
• American Red Cross Blood Drive | Hosted by SCDAA member organization Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation of Oregon

With hospital blood needs outpacing blood donations, the Red Cross urges everyone to help them overcome a severe blood shortage. 3 easy ways to help:
1. Sign up to give blood, platelets or plasma now: https://t.co/xkqpAPJScW
2. Ask a friend to join you
3. Spread the word pic.twitter.com/IbX1ZEixS7

— SCDAA (@SCDAAorg) June 16, 2021

If you or someone you love os diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease please visit the following  for more information and resources; Providers, Links & Resources GetConnected, SCDAA Patient Powered Registry.

This is Nurse Lauren, contributor of NursesNOW, signing off with your Wellness Wednesday information on World Sickle Cell Day. Remember to get involved and spread awareness this Saturday June 19.

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