Sickle cell disease is an inherited condition that results in a decrease in the ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body. Sickle red blood cells become hard and irregularly shaped (like a sickle). It become become clogged in the small blood vessels and therefore do not deliver oxygen to the tissues. Lack of tissue oxygenation can cause excruciating pain, damage to body organs and even death.

Symptoms:
Often starts with fever for 6 months to 2 years followed by pain episodes such as pain in the chest, abdomen, limbs and joints, enlargement of the heart, liver and spleen nosebleeds, frequent upper respiratory infections,  strokes, increased infections, leg ulcers, bone damage, yellow eyes or jaundice, early gallstones, lung blockage, kidney damage and loss of body water in urine, sexual dysfunctiong (priapism), blood blockage in the spleen or liver (sequestration), eye damage, low red blood cell counts (anemia), delayed growth. Over time Sickle Cell sufferers can experience damage to organs such as liver, kidney, lungs, heart and spleen can result in death.

Early Diagnosis and Treatment:
There is no real cure for Sickle Cell disease at this time. Medical research shows that many patients  can live a relatively normal life with sickle cell anemia if they have the proper and timely treatment.  The two main drugs used in treatment of sickle cell anemia are penicillin and hydroxyurea. Persons with sickle cell anemia have an increased susceptibility to infection due to damage to one of our major defenses against infection, the spleen, due to restricted blood flow.

Poverty, illiteracy, and lack of access to basic health care regularly put thousands of people in this situation. API is looking for partners/sponsors for establishing a clinic to help thousands of patients suffering from sickle cell disease. It is only by volunteer support that the needs of some of these people can be met. Please contact us for additional info.