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The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America - Michigan Chapter provides education, assistance, and advocacy for individuals living with and families affected by sickle cell disease. Our services are available throughout Michigan and span lifetime needs. Thank you 2025 Sponsors for helping us reach our goal!! To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. SCDAA-MI provides education, assistance, and advocacy for individuals living with and families affected by sickle cell disease. Our services are available throughout Michigan and span lifetime needs. Sickle cell is a complex biopsychosocial condition affecting every blood vessel, organ, and system in the body. While its severity impacts each individual uniquely, sickle cell’s most common visible presentation is excruciating, unpredictable pain. However, the condition’s less visible complications of continual hemolytic anemia and vascular and organ damage are silent, but life-shortening, ramifications suffered by every individual with sickle cell. OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN - SHARE - DISCOVER Anniversary STATE OF SICKLE CELL DISEASE EXPLORE TREATMENTS WAYS TO ENGAGE WITH SCDAA-MI NEWS & MEDIA SPONSORS & ALLIANCES QUESTIONS ABOUT HYDROXYUREA WE'RE NOW WORKING REMOTELY TO HELP PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY. PLEASE CALL FOR ASSISTANCE. THANK YOU! DETROIT OFFICE 18516 James Couzens Fwy Detroit, MI 48235 Mon - Fri: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Special Event Hours as Posted CONTACT US Detroit/SE Mich: (313) 864-4406 or ( 800) 842-0973 Children's Hospital SC Clinic: (313) 745-5613 Sickle Cell Trait Counseling: (313) 864-4406 School/Job Assistance: (313) 595-0541 Email: info@scdaami.org SATELLITE OFFICES Adult Clinic Caseworker: (313) 864-4406 Benton Harbor/Kalamazoo Area: (269) 927-5629 Grand Rapids/Muskegon Area: (616) 788-9816 Jackson/Lansing Area: (517) 249-3528 Saginaw/Flint Area: (989) 755-7752

about us The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America - Michigan Chapter has been a leader in the sickle cell community since 1971. We are committed to improving the lives of people with sickle cell by keeping our mission at the center of everything we do. OUR HISTORY 200 YEARS Our success all started with the vision of Dr. Charles F. Whitten. His daughter Dr. Wanda Whitten-Shurney continues the work. Read More > OUR IMPACT EVERYBODY COUNTS Numbers, numbers, numbers. But here at SCDAA-MI, every statistic represents a real person we fight for every day. Read More > OUR BOARD LEADERSHIP MATTERS Our board members provide mission and operational oversight with passion, dedication, and expertise. Read More > OUR CEO SICKLE CELL CENTER Our CEO brings passion and drive by seeking to bring awareness in the community and caring for individuals living with sickle cell disease. She maximizes profits and fulfills leadership skills to carry out the mission of the organization. Read More >

Do you need help locating a PCP & Hematologist? Disclaimer: This information including physician's names are for informational purposes only, does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, and does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Key elements for the disclaimer: No Advice Guarantee: the listed names/profiles are not endorsements, recommendations, or medical advice. Limitation of Liability: The SCDAA-Michigan is not liable for actions taken based on the information provided. No Patient Relationship: browsing or using this list of information does not establish a doctor-patient relationship with the listed physicians. Emergency Disclaimer: call 911 or visit a hospital for emergencies, do not to rely on this directory/physician list. Accuracy Disclaimer: although the SCDAA-Michigan strives for accuracy, we do not guarantee the completeness or reliability of the physician information (information is subject to change). Coming Soon! This is your About page. This space is a great opportunity to give a full background on who you are, what you do and what your site has to offer. Your users are genuinely interested in learning more about you, so don’t be afraid to share personal anecdotes to create a more friendly quality. Every website has a story, and your visitors want to hear yours. This space is a great opportunity to provide any personal details you want to share with your followers. Include interesting anecdotes and facts to keep readers engaged. Double click on the text box to start editing your content and make sure to add all the relevant details you want site visitors to know. If you’re a business, talk about how you started and share your professional journey. Explain your core values, your commitment to customers and how you stand out from the crowd. Add a photo, gallery or video for even more engagement.

site map Our site is filled with valuable, credible information! You can explore its content here or use our search feature. Home Highlights Coronavirus / COVID-19 Info & Resources Spring E-Newsletter Explore Treatments News & Media Sponsors & Alliances Advocacy & Legislation Locations Detroit Office Contact Us Satellite Offices Map About Us Our History Our Impact Our Board Our Staff Jobs/Careers Services Office and satellite location contacts Our Services Newborn screening Testing and genetic counseling Social work services Career development Public education Summer Camp Covid-19 information Conditions What Is Sickle Cell Disease? Prevalence of Sickle Cell Disease How Do You Inherit Sickle Cell Disease? Explore More In-Depth Information American Society of Hematology Centers for Disease Control National Institutes of Health The Problem with Sickled Cells (video) A Century of Progress A History of Sickle Cell Sickle Cell Trait Sickle Cell Trait Facts Know Your Trait Status Sickle cell trait info from the CDC NCAA Fact Sheet for Student Athletes Testing for sickle cell trait and disease Symptoms & Complicatons Symptoms and Complications Anemia Acute Chest Syndrome Pain Hand-Foot Syndrome Splenic Crisis Infection Stroke Vision Loss More info from the CDC Treatments Feb. 29, 2020 treatment workshop videos Bone marrow and stem cell transplants Medications Penicillin Hydroxyurea Endari Adakveo Oxbryta Transfusions Media News & Multimedia SCDAA-MI Out and About News From Around the Community Patient & caregiver-focused videos Provider-focused sickle cell videos Press Releases E-newsletters News archive Coronavirus / COVID-19 Info & Resources Section 1 Coronavirus / COVID-19 Info & Resources SCDAA sickle cell/COVID-19 guidelines Patient Provider SCD COVID Registry Contact info for Drs. Ahmar Zaidi and Michael Callaghan Assistance navigating resources Section 2 U of M COVID-19 Pandemic Resource Guide Resources for day-to-day living during COVID-19 Locate community resources by zip code Food Mental Health Internet & Device Access Talking with your children about COVID-19 Education and enrichment Ways to connect United Way 2-1-1 COVID-19 risk assessment Meals for children COVID-19 cases in Michigan SCDAA-MI Protocols CDC Recommendations for People at High Risk Section 3 Cheat Codes: Emergency Sickle Cell COVID-19 Podcast How to get tested for COVID-19 COVID-19 symptoms Section 4 Information from Michigan health departments What you need to know about handwashing Statewide resources and information flyer City of Detroit Water Restart Plan Coping with Coronavirus Anxiety Patient Support We’re working to keep you SAFER NIH health maintenance for sickle cell CDC opioid clarification for sickle cell disease NIH treatment guidelines for sickle cell disease Know Your Rights – The Joint Commission Speak Up For Your Rights – The Joint Commission Ask Your Advocate to Speak Up – The Joint Commission Passport to Health Toolkit Tips for trips to ER Clinical trials Sickle cell facts and figures Sickle cell glossary Understanding medical speak Looking for a hematologist? Other informational resources One SCD Voice Cheat Codes Podcast Living with SCD Self-Care Toolkit Get Connected Patient Powered Registry The Sickle Cell Podcast Generation S Get Involved Donate Ways 2 Give Why donate? Donate online Host a Facebook fundraiser Amazon Text to Give Kroger community rewards Check or money order Corporate partnerships 2020 Sickle Cell Matters Walk 2020 Sickle Cell Matters Walk Host Committee Our Donors Advocate 2020 Census information Current and recent issues we’re working on Advocacy training Are you ready to vote? Michigan voter information Our advocacy partners Do you know who represents you? Find your representative. Volunteer Sickle Cell 911 SCDAA sickle cell/COVID-19 provider guidelines SCD COVID Registry ASH COVID FAQs SAFE(R) card and accompanying NIH guidelines NIH and AHRQ ER triage guidelines NIH Sickle Cell Pain Algorithm How to conduct a sickle cell assessment (6 min video) High ER utilization and perceptions of addiction/drug-seeking behavior (3 min video) About the SAFE(R) Initiative CDC clarification on opioids for sickle cell disease NIH Guidelines NIH full recommendations NIH quick guide to recommendations NIH guidelines – acute care breakout (11 complications) ASH pocket guides for acute and non-acute care management Management of acute complications of sickle cell All pocket guides Cardiopulmonary and kidney disease Health maintenance and management of chronic complications Hydroxyurea and transfusion therapy About SAFE(R) SAFE(R) card How to partner Provider and patient anecdotes CDC opioid guidance for sickle cell HHS Asst. Sec’y for health comment Office of Minority Health statistic SCD Education Resources for provider education Improving Emergency Department-Based Care of Sickle Cell Pain American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) Resources Acute and Emergency Department Assessment and Treatment Sickle Cell is More Than Pain: Managing Complications Helpful Contextual Videos About Sickle Cell Disease Ongoing Educational Opportunities Events Event Calendar 2020 Sickle Cell Matters Walk Register today Set up your team Sponsor info Vendor reservation Volunteer Warrior Stroll Salute to Legacy Warriors Virtual Summit Leadership and Key Volunteers Who to contact 2019 Event Gallery Cynthia Coles Circle Luncheon, May 18 World Sickle Cell Day, June 19 Sickle Strong Empowerment Circle Balloon Launch, June 19 2019 Sickle Cell Matters Walk 2018 Gallery 2018 Sickle CELLabration World Sickle Cell Day 2018 2018 Sickle Cell Matters Awareness Walk 2018 Cynthia Coles Circle Benefit Luncheon Campaign Awareness Launch More Contact Us Client Feedback Volunteer Search Client Assistance Phone numbers to reach our patient advocate and social work staff throughout the state of Michigan.

Ways to participate in our virtual walk Donate/Join/Fundraise Since the Walk is now virtual, registration is optional. You can turn your registration fee into a donation, join/create a team or become a fundraiser. Team Set Up Once you create a team, you'll get an email for page set up. We also have step-by-step instructions here to personalize your page. Sponsor Info Your company sponsorship heightens the visibility of your commitment to social responsibility. The return on investment benefits us all. Vendor/Exhibitor This year we're offering two vendor experiences: Both provide virtual promotion, one also offers limited sponsor benefits. Legacy Warriors Are you a sickle cell warrior who's 40 or older? We invite you to join our Legacy Salute! Sign up here by 9/5 to be included. The COVID-19 pandemic will keep us from walking together, but the reasons we walk are still present every day in every individual living with sickle cell. We still need your help to meet the needs of our community. How Our Virtual Walk Works “Join where you are and move how you choose” is the theme of this year’s Sickle Cell Matters Virtual Walk. This means you can participate from anywhere – home, a favorite landmark, nearby park, or your local drop-off election ballot box . (Hint!) Everyone who registers, donates, or starts a team will receive a pedometer, but you’re not limited to walking. Change it up! Transfer the 30-40 minutes you would have used to walk with our group to a session of Zumba, yoga, golf, dancing or yes, walking. We encourage you to start on Sept. 14 to help us promote the event. Post photos or videos of your activity to your social media accounts using #SickleCellMattersWalkMI #SickleCellLivesMatter #SickleCellMichigan. Have fun with it – show off your steps, shout out your team, team members, and the warrior you’re participating for. Then on Saturday, Sept. 19, join us on Facebook @sicklecellmichigan for the online celebration beginning at 10 a.m. Right click to download, save and share this graphic! Contests & Prizes Right click to download, save and share this graphic! Everyone who supports our 2020 Sickle Cell Matters Virtual Walk by registering, donating, fundraising, or starting a team by 9/5 will receive a pedometer as a thank you and reminder that fitness – movement – is important for all of us every day. Everyone who signs up as a fundraiser or creates a team by 9/5 will also be entered into a giveaway for a $100 gift card. We’ll recognize the two teams that raise the most money by Sept. 12. Team captain of the top team receives a $100 gift card. The second place team captain will receive a $50 gift card. The team captain with the most walkers as of Sept. 12 will receive a $100 gift card. We’re expanding our annual T-Shirt Contest to include posters this year. Create a design supporting #SickleCellLivesMatter. Show your poster or wear your T-Shirt in your virtual walk photos and videos. Enter your T-Shirt and poster designs in the contest by Sept. 5 for a chance to win a $100 gift card. Winners will be announced on Sept. 19. (You must be registered for the walk, donate, or be signed up as a fundraiser or team captain to be eligible for entry.) Tribute to Fallen Warriors We offer our heartfelt condolences to all the friends, families and loved ones of individuals with sickle cell who’ve passed away over the years. This year, again, we’ll pay tribute to the lives of those we've lost here in Michigan. To include your loved one in our tribute, please send the following to info@scdaami.org no later than Sept. 5: Name of the individual who passed away, dates of birth and death, and a photo. Right click to download, save and share this graphic! Salute to Legacy Warriors Right click to download, save and share this graphic! We’re inviting all individuals with sickle cell aged 40 and older to join our 2020 salute. Consider this an extra birthday celebration! The honors are open to all warriors, no matter where you live. Sign up here and send a photo of yourself to info@scdaami.org with the subject line “Legacy Warrior.” Be sure to include your name in the email. #WarriorsWipeItDownChallenge We’re inviting all sickle cell warriors to join in a special #WipeItDown challenge for our virtual walk. Post to your social media using any of the day’s hashtags: #SickleCellMattersWalkMI #SickleCellLivesMatter #WarriorsWipeItDown Right click to download, save and share this graphic! #SickleSlide Calling the hustle crowd! Take on the Sickle Slide to raise consciousness around sickle cell in a fun and active way. Post your video and tag us @sicklecellmichigan. Be sure to post a fact or two about your life with sickle cell and use #SickleSlide and #SickleCellMattersWalkMI. You could be featured in our Walk day celebration! howwalkworks contests legacywarriors fallenwarriors wipeitdown sickleslide Check our leaderboard frequently to see how your campaign is doing and what the competition is up to. For additional information, please contact the following SCDAA-MI staff for specific assistance or call (313) 864-4406: Registration, team setup or technical issues - email Kristal Johnson Sponsorships - email Stefanie Worth Vendor Information - email Tracie Conic

media Keep up with SCDAA-MI news, articles and information from a variety of outlets on issues affecting sickle cell, and videos and webinars to keep you up-to-date about what's happening in the #sicklecell community. SCDAA-MI OUT & ABOUT SCDAA-MI World Sickle Cell Day press release SCDAA-MI ANNOUNCES SAFE(R) INITIATIVE TO IMPROVE EMERGENCY SICKLE CELL CARE Effort aims to assist medical community in proper treatment of long-misunderstood disease February 26, 2020 Read more SAFE(R) provides medical professionals with quick access to an online portal at SCDAAMI.org/SickleCell911 that provides clinical practice guidelines for sickle cell established by the National Institutes of Health, sickle cell-specific opioid guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, as well as best practices and recommendations from the American Society of Hematology and other leading experts in sickle cell treatment. NHLBI Speaker "Thank you National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) for having me alongside these devoted advocates as a panelist for the “What is a Meaningful Cure?” panel discussion hosted by Dr. Wanda Whitten-Shurney . #CureSCI #sicklecell Thanks Teonna Woolford for the pic!! — with Velvet Brown-Watts , André Marcel Harris and Cassandra Trimnell at Hilton Washington DC/Rockville Hotel and Executive Meeting Center ." NEWS FROM AROUND THE COMMUNITY Toledo's Promedica Hospital has added an adult sickle cell clinic, the first of its kind in northwest Toledo. - WATCH & READ Get the clinic's info here Could gene therapy cure sickle cell anemia? - WATCH FDA approves first targeted therapy to treat patients with painful complication of sickle cell disease - READ FDA Approves Oxbryta™ (Voxelotor), the First Medicine Specifically Targeting the Root Cause of Sickle Cell Disease - READ Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Has Oklahoma Roots - READ Patient & caregiver focused videos All Categories Play Video Play Video 10:35 Sickle Cell Disease: a battle for equality, justice and respect | Ahmar Zaidi | TEDxDetroit What led a 46 year old Haitian artist to being kicked out of the hospital in the dead of winter? What led him to joblessness and homelessness? Part of the answer was in his blood...but most of the answer is us. Dr. Ahmar Zaidi is a pediatric hematologist who focuses on the care of people with sickle cell disease. He works at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan and is involved in research looking at pain in sickle cell disease patients. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx Play Video Play Video Hour Detroit’s Excellence in Care Award Sharada Sarnaik, M.D., Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologists at Children’s Hospital of Michigan presented Hour Detroit’s Excellence in Care Award Play Video Play Video SCDAAMI Questions about Hydroxyurea OUR THEME: Together we can make a difference and "break the sickle cycle" OUR MISSION To maximize the life potential of individuals living with sickle cell disease To enable individuals with sickle cell trait to make informed decisions with respect to family planning. To provide education and testing for the general public Play Video Play Video 10:16 World Sickle Cell Day | American Black Journal Clip Air date: 6/19/16. Three women on the front lines in the battle against sickle cell disease: Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy, who is Board Chair of the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America’s Michigan chapter; Dr. Wanda Whitten-Shurney, a pediatrician at Children’s Hospital of Michigan; and Anastasia Worthy, Youth Ambassador of the Michigan Chapter of the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America. Episode 4437/Segment 1. Play Video Play Video 02:00 2018 Access to Care Summit Educating and Empowering Sickle Cell Patients 2018 Access to Care Summit: Educating and Empowering Sickle Cell Patients. Original published link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEHsyeTbYT8&t=9s Play Video Play Video 00:31 Annual SCD Therapeutics Conference Experience Wanda Whitten Shurney, M D Wanda Whitten-Shurney, M.D., the CEO and medical director of SCDAA – Michigan Chapter, explains the value that the annual Sickle Cell Disease Therapeutics Conference offers to the SCD community in this short video. To learn more, visit scdconference.com. Original published link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYP1YkA0W3A Play Video Play Video 05:48 Sickle cell disease: Why is it hard to talk about our pain? BBC Stories Sickle cell disease is a serious and lifelong health condition that predominantly affects people from African or Caribbean backgrounds. Symptoms include bouts of pain, strokes, organ failure, and complications that can result in reduced life expectancy. Some consider it a 'silent illness' as those who have the condition rarely speak about it or the pain that they live with. We speak to 25 year-old Chris who lives with the disease and started his own initiative that aims to create conversation about the condition. Produced by: Kesewaa Browne Filmed and edited by: James Stewart Animation: Gerard Groves Commissioning Editor: Kimberley Rowell #sicklecell #sickle #bbc We are BBC Stories, a group of journalists making films, long and short, with the younger audience (18-24) in mind. The idea is to tackle issues which concern and impact this group of people. So think about anything from race and identity to mental health, money and much more. Play Video Play Video 05:07 Prodigy Talks With Real Health About His Life With Sickle Cell Anemia Hip-Hop Star Prodigy talks with Real Health editor in chief Kate Ferguson about his life with sickle cell anemia. Provider-focused sickle cell videos Play Video Play Video 10:35 Sickle Cell Disease: a battle for equality, justice and respect | Ahmar Zaidi | TEDxDetroit What led a 46 year old Haitian artist to being kicked out of the hospital in the dead of winter? What led him to joblessness and homelessness? Part of the answer was in his blood...but most of the answer is us. Dr. Ahmar Zaidi is a pediatric hematologist who focuses on the care of people with sickle cell disease. He works at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan and is involved in research looking at pain in sickle cell disease patients. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx Play Video Play Video 04:23 Burden of Sickle Cell Disease Expert clinicians discuss the prevalence and overall burden of sickle cell disease across the globe and recognize the role of community physicians in managing the disease. Play Video Play Video 01:19 Dr Ahmar Zaidi on Efforts Needed to Address Complications of Sickle Cell Disease Ahmar Zaidi, MD, pediatric hematologist-oncologist, Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center, Children's Hospital of Michigan, discusses the need for more efforts from both the medical community and regulators to address the psychosocial complications of sickle cell disease. Play Video Play Video 09:09 Freda Lewis-Hall and TLC's "T-Boz" Discuss Sickle Cell Disease on The Doctors Dr. Freda Lewis-Hall, chief medical officer of Pfizer, appears on The Doctors to speak about sickle cell disease, a blood disorder that primarily affects African Americans, and the genetic trait linked to the disease. She and The Doctors are joined by Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins, of the musical group TLC, who lives with the condition. Check your local listings to see the whole show and learn more at www.GetHealthyStayHealthy.com. Freda Lewis-Hall and TLC's "T-Boz" Discuss Sickle Cell Disease on The Doctors

sickle cell treatments While there is no universal cure for sickle cell disease (yet), there are several therapeutic approaches to relieve symptoms, reduce complications, and extend life. Early treatment (by eight weeks) by a hematologist is critical for newborns. Beginning a course of prophylactic penicillin at age two months was a historic intervention in changing the course of childhood sickle cell survival. View our Feb. 29th Treatment Workshop where we discussed all the current treatments available to cure sickle cell. CLICK TO PLAY ON FACEBOOK Part 1 with Dr. Wanda Whitten-Shurney (44 mins) CLICK TO PLAY ON FACEBOOK Part 2 with Dr. Ahmar Zaidi (58 mins) The only cure for sickle cell disease is a bone marrow or stem cell transplant. Most sickle cell disease transplants are currently performed in children who have had complications such as strokes, acute chest crises, and recurring pain crises. These transplants usually use a matched donor. Blood and bone marrow transplants are riskier in adults. Read more Medicines can reduce or alleviate symptoms and complications and prolong life. Penicillin In children who have sickle cell disease, taking penicillin two times a day has been shown to reduce the chance of having a severe infection caused by the pneumococcus bacteria. Newborns need to take liquid penicillin. Older children can take tablets. Many doctors will stop prescribing penicillin after a child has reached the age of 5. Some prefer to continue this antibiotic throughout life, particularly if a person has hemoglobin SS or hemoglobin Sβ0 thalassemia, since people who have sickle cell disease are still at risk. All people who have had surgical removal of the spleen, called a splenectomy, or a past infection with pneumococcus should keep taking penicillin throughout life. Hydroxyurea Hydroxyurea is an oral medicine that has been shown to reduce or prevent several sickle cell disease complications. This medicine was studied in patients who have sickle cell disease, because it was known to increase the amount of fetal hemoglobin (hemoglobin F) in the blood. Increased hemoglobin F provides some protection against the effects of hemoglobin S. Watch Dr. Shurney’s animated video about Hydroxyurea and how it works Endari Approved by the FDA for sickle cell use in 2017, Endari is an oral L-glutamine therapy for sickle cell disease and sickle cell thalassemia that reduces the acute complications of sickle cell disease in adults and children 5 years and older. It works by increasing the amount of glutamine in the blood. The added glutamine is taken up by the defective sickle cells, and when metabolized (broken down) results in the release of antioxidants.Common side effects include constipation, nausea, headache, abdominal pain, cough, pain in the extremities, back pain and chest pain. Patient web site Endari co-pay assistance Adakveo In 2019, the FDA also approved a new medicine to reduce the number of pain crises experienced by adults and children 16 years and older who have sickle cell disease. The medicine, which is given through an IV in the vein, helps prevent blood cells from sticking to blood vessel walls and causing blood flow blockage, inflammation, and pain crises. Possible side effects include nausea, joint pain, back pain, and fever. Patient resources web site Downloadable patient brochure Oxbryta The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new medicine in 2019 to treat sickle cell disease in adults and children 12 years and older. The oral medicine prevents red blood cells from forming the sickle shape and binding together. This may decrease the destruction of some red blood cells, which in turn lowers the risk for anemia and improves blood flow to your organs. Possible side effects include headache, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, fatigue, and fever. Rarely, allergic reactions may occur, causing rashes, hives, or mild shortness of breath. Talk to your doctor about other medicines you take. Patient web site Caregiver tips Downloadable patient information leaflet Transfusions are often used in acute or preventive situations. Transfusions are administered to treat and prevent certain sickle cell disease complications. These transfusions may include: Acute transfusion to treat complications that cause severe anemia. Doctors may also use transfusions when a patient has an acute stroke, in many cases of acute chest crises, and in multi-organ failure. A patient who has sickle cell disease usually receives blood transfusions before surgery, to prevent complications. Red blood cell transfusions to increase the number of red blood cells and provide normal red blood cells that are more flexible than red blood cells with sickle hemoglobin. Regular or ongoing blood transfusions for people who have had an acute stroke, to reduce the chances of having another stroke. Doctors also recommend blood transfusions for children who have abnormal transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasound results, because transfusions can reduce the chance of having a first stroke. There are other treatments for specific complications. Be mindful that not all treatments work for everyone. Some people find success with alternative treatments as well, including medical marijuana (be knowledgeable about legalities that may impact school, work and overall health). To stay as healthy as possible, patients should be sure to get regular medical care that includes a pediatrician (for children) or primary care physician (for adults) and a hematologist and work with them to create the best individual care plan. Patients should also live a healthy lifestyle and avoid triggers that may cause a pain crisis. Page sources: NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, FDA.gov, Endari, Adakveo, Oxbryta

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Sickle Cell 911 provides fast, simple access to NIH recommendations and guidelines in treating acute sickle cell complications. SICKLE CELL 911: FAST ACCESS TO GUIDELINES & BETTER CARE Empowering medical professionals to implement evidence-based sickle cell action. Amplifying the patient's voice in care. " Only about 1 in 4 patients with sickle cell disease receive the standard of care described in current guidelines, and many studies have shown that patients do not receive treatment for their pain as soon as, or in appropriate doses as, other patients." - HHS Office of Minority Health PROVIDER INFO SCDAA HEALTH ALERT - COVID-19 AND SICKLE CELL DISEASE: An Outline to Decrease Burden and Minimize Morbidity PARTNER WITH SAFER COVID REGISTRY ASH COVID FAQs TOP OPIOIDS & SCD NIH GUIDELINES COMPLICATIONS ASH POCKET GUIDES ABOUT SAFE(R) SCD EDUCATION IF A PATIENT GIVES YOU THIS CARD, PLEASE CLICK THE IMAGE FOR NIH GUIDELINES! PLEASE TRIAGE AS ESI 2 PER NIH AND AHRQ "It is not possible to manage pain at triage for patients with renal colic, cancer, or sickle cell crisis. These patients should be triaged as ESI level 2 and rapid placement should be facilitated whenever possible." - AHRQ, Emergency Severity Index (ESI) Implementation Handbook (see page 26) Web site PDF NIH SICKLE CELL PAIN ALGORITHM HOW TO CONDUCT A SICKLE CELL ASSESSMENT These videos from Duke University's School of Nursing demonstrate how to conduct an assessment for a sickle cell patient's vaso-occlusive crisis (6 mins) and a patient with a high number of ED visits who might face perceptions of opioid addiction or drug-seeking behavior (3 mins). ABOUT THE SAFE(R) INITIATIVE SAFE(R) stems from the sad and dangerous reality that many individuals with sickle cell opt to "wait out" an acute episode as long as possible rather than endure a traumatizing trip to the ED where they're likely to be stigmatized and/or undertreated. This treatment time lost equates to eventual organ failure or other tragic complications. We're asking the medical community to partner with us in assuring patients that they'll be SAFE(R) in your facility because you'll adhere to CDC and NIH guidelines in their care. Access/download a compilation of NIH guides specific to SAFE(R). Printable patient SCD911 SAFE(R) Card . Learn more about the SAFE(R) Initiative . CDC CLARIFICATION ON OPIOIDS FOR SCD Read the clarification letter from CDC to ASH online . Read the CDC's statement against misapplication of the guideline here. Opioids and Sickle Cell BACK TO THE TOP NIH Sickle Cell Guidance NIH EVIDENCE-BASED MANAGEMENT OF SICKLE CELL DISEASE NIH full recommendations Click the image at left for a PDF of the full 161-page NIH recommendations. This link will take you directly to the full document at NIH's site. NIH Quick Guide to Recommendations "The purpose of this Guide to Recommendations is to provide clinicians with a digital resource of the treatment recommendations extracted from the full report. For more information, please refer to the full report. . . ." Click the image at right for a pdf of the 48-page Quick Guide. This link will take you directly to the Quick Guide document at NIH's site. NIH GUIDELINES: ACUTE CARE BREAKOUT For ease-of-access, this section contains a breakout of individual acute complications of sickle cell with links to corresponding PDFs from the Quick Guide and the full recommendations. What does the patient report? Remember, there are no labs that can indicate or confirm a patient's level of pain ! Acute Chest Syndrome: Quick Full Acute Stroke: Quick Full Anemia: Quick Full Fever: Quick Full Hepatobiliary: Quick Full Multi-System Organ Failure: Quick Full Ocular Conditions: Quick Full Priapism: Quick Full Renal Failure: Quick Full Splenic Sequestration: Quick Full Vaso-occlusive crisis/pain episode: Quick Full Complications ASH Pocket Guides ASH POCKET GUIDES FOR ACUTE AND NON-ACUTE CARE MANAGEMENT ASH POCKET GUIDE - MANAGEMENT OF ACUTE COMPLICATIONS OF SICKLE CELL Click the image to access a PDF of ASH's Management of Acute Complications of Sickle Cell Disease pocket guide. Presented by ASH in 2014, adapted from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Evidence Based Management of Sickle Cell Disease: Expert Panel Report, 2014. (Click here to go directly to ASH's web site for links to all its sickle cell pocket guides.) ACCESS ALL ASH POCKET GUIDES FOR MANAGING SICKLE CELL Click here to go directly to ASH's web site for links to all the sickle cell pocket guides. The following links will take you to individual PDFs for download. Cardiopulmonary and Kidney Disease in Sickle Cell Disease: Screening and Management This pocket guide includes key recommendations from the American Society of Hematology 2019 guidelines for sickle cell disease: cardiopulmonary and kidney disease, available soon in Blood Advances. Health Maintenance and Management of Chronic Complications of Sickle Cell Disease Presented by ASH in 2014, adapted from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Evidence Based Management of Sickle Cell Disease: Expert Panel Report, 2014 Hydroxyurea and Transfusion Therapy for the Treatment of Sickle Cell Disease Presented by ASH in 2014, adapted from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Evidence Based Management of Sickle Cell Disease: Expert Panel Report, 2014 Download the apps: For iOS For Android Web version of the apps BACK TO THE TOP SOURCES: https://www.minorityhealth.hhs.gov/sicklecell/, https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/evidence-based-management-sickle-cell-disease, https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/sites/default/files/media/docs/Evd-Bsd_SickleCellDis_Rep2014.pdf, https://www.hematology.org/Clinicians/Guidelines-Quality/Quick-Reference.aspx, https://sickleemergency.duke.edu/educational-resources/videos, https://www.ahrq.gov/sites/default/files/wysiwyg/professionals/systems/hospital/esi/esihandbk.pdf

sickle cell conditions SCROLL Sickle cell disease is the most common heritable blood disorder in the U.S. It affects 100,00 people, most of them living healthier and longer lives than would've been possible one or two generations ago. The disease is chronic, complex and challenging. But at the SCDAA-MI, we are resilient and resourceful - committed to improving lives. We're here to win. DISEASE & TRAIT What & How Learn about the history, transmission and variability of sickle cell disease, and what we're discovering about trait. Read More PATIENT SUPPORT Find Answers You have questions, we're here to help you get answers. Cut through the internet chatter with credible tips, tools and insights. Read More TREATMENTS Is there a cure? A universal cure isn't here yet, but there are disease-altering treatments for children & adults that you should know about. Read More SAFE(R) Stay SAFER in the ER Learn more about our SAFE(R) initiative and the evidence-based guidelines in place for emergency sickle cell care. Read More