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Sickle Cell Disease Recently l was on board a Belleview airline and l was caught by their appeal. It reads thus; please spare a thought for the unfortunate plight of more than a million children who are afflicted with sickle cell anaemia. This is the commonest hereditary disease in sub-Saharan Africa and in the whole world. By virtue of its high population, Nigeria has the largest number of sufferer in the world. Statistics show that one in every four Nigerian is a carrier of the sickle cell trait. The Sickle Cell Foundation of Nigeria is a humanitarian organisation raising funds through public spirited individuals to build and run a National Sickle Cell Centre to help save the lives of these children. This will be done through research, counselling and creating general awareness on how to prevent and manage the condition. Several things made me deeply moved. As the statistic has accurately said, I am a carrier- one of the one in four. I migrated to the United Kingdom over twenty years ago. I have recently registered a charity Wisdom Ministry and Family Centre in Nigeria at the leading of God. The plight of the poor and suffering of the under privileged cuts me in pieces like with a razor. I can cry a whole week for injustice. I was crying once when l heard God clearly speak to me to stop crying and get up and do something-no matter how small. Do something that will make a difference. For people who knows me well, l have always tried to make a mark, touch people in some form or the other to encourage and bring positive change to their lives. God was however telling me to move to the next level. This is the reason for these publications. God challenged me to press forward in whatever l was doing on His behalf. Africa /Nigeria has no National Health Service, it has no Welfare State. 5% of Nigerians are extremely wealth but a large proportion of people are living below poverty line. If we love the way God ask us to love, then we cannot close our eyes to the untold suffering of God’s people. We cannot say that we love in words and not in deeds. God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son Jesus Christ to redeem us from the consequences of our disobedience and curse of the law. Sickle cell prevalence can be reduced by a simple blood test before our young people commit themselves to marriage and intimacy. I visited two sites on the internet to bring a little awareness to the topic of Sickle Cell. The Georgia Comprehensive Sickle Cell Centre at Grady Health System, Atlanta GA What is Sickle Cell Disease ? Sickle Cell disease is a group of inherited red blood cell disorders. It is the most common genetic disease in the US. Over 70,000 Americans have sickle cell disease. Normal red blood cells are round like doughnuts, and they move through small blood tubes in the body to deliver oxygen. Sickle red blood cells become hard, sticky and shaped like 8
sickles used to cut wheat. When these hard and pointed red cells go through the small blood tube, they clog the flow and break apart. This can cause pain, damage and a low blood count, or anaemia. What makes the red cell sickle? There is a substance in the red cell called haemoglobin that carries oxygen inside the cell. One little change in this substance causes the haemoglobin to form long rods in the red cell when it gives away oxygen. These rigid rods change the red cell into a sickle shape. How do you get sickle cell anemia? You inherit the abnormal haemoglobin from both parents who may be carriers with sickle cell trait or parents with sickle cell disease. You cannot catch it. You are born with the sickle cell haemoglobin and it is present for life. Is Sickle Cell only in African Americans? Sickle cell is in many nationalities including African Americans, Arabs, Greeks, Italians, Latin Americans and people from India. All races should be screened for this haemoglobin at birth. In the US, 1 out of 10 African Americans have sickle cell trait and 1 out of 625 newborns have the disease. How can I be tested? A simple blood test called the haemoglobin electrophoresis can be done by your doctor or local sickle cell foundation. This test will tell if you are a carrier of the sickle cell trait or if you have the disease. Newborn Screening Most States now perform the sickle cell test when babies are born. The simple blood test will detect sickle cell disease or sickle cell trait. Other types of traits that may be discovered include: Haemoglobin C trait, Haemoglobin E trait, Haemoglobin Bart’s - which indicates an alpha thalassemia trait What is sickle cell trait? Sickle cell trait is a person who carries one sickle haemoglobin producing gene inherited from their parents and one normal haemoglobin gene. Normal haemoglobin is called type A. Sickle haemoglobin called S. Sickle cell trait is the presence of haemoglobin AS on the haemoglobin electrophoresis. This will NOT cause sickle cell disease. Other haemoglobin traits common in the United States are AC and AE traits. Are there different types of sickle cell disease? There are three common types of sickle cell disease in the United States. Haemoglobin SS or sickle cell anaemia Haemoglobin SC disease Haemoglobin sickle beta-thalassemia Each of these can cause sickle pain episodes and complications, but some are more common than others. All of these may also have an increase in foetal haemoglobin which can protect the red cell from sickling and help prevent complications. The medication hydroxyurea also increases foetal haemoglobin. Where can I get more information? Visit the Sickle Cell Information Centre on the internet at www.SCInfo.org or call the following: The Georgia Comprehensive Sickle Cell Centre at Grady Health System 404- 616-3572 The Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia Inc. 404-755-1641 Sickle Cell Disease Association of America 1- 800-421-8453 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Sickle-cell disease, or sickle-cell anaemia (or drepanocytosis), is a life-long blood disorder characterized by red blood cells that assume an abnormal, rigid, sickle shape. Sickling decreases the cells’ flexibility and results in a risk of various complications. The sickling occurs because of a mutation in the hemoglobin gene. Life expectancy is shortened, with studies reporting an average life expectancy of 42 and 48 years for males and females, respectively. Sickle-cell disease, usually presenting in childhood, occurs more commonly in people (or their descendants) from parts of tropical and sub-tropical regions where malaria is or was common. One-third of all indigenous inhabitants of Sub-Saharan Africa carry the gene, because in areas where malaria is common, there is a 9
Page 1 and 2: Price UK £2.99 , Nigeria 400 Naira
Page 3 and 4: EDITORIAL BOARD Publisher/Editor-in
Page 5 and 6: Congratulates Magazine The Ondo Kin
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Page 11 and 12: eported. Pulmonary hypertension (in
Page 13: preventing sickling episodes as wel
Page 16 and 17: NASRDA A Decade Of Historical Sojou
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Page 20 and 21: Plan Of Salvation Explained To 7-11
Page 22 and 23: THE WORD OF GOD IN YOUR HAND, WHAT
Page 24 and 25: Little things that makes a Great Ma
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Page 32 and 33: “I know what it is to be in need,
Page 34 and 35: Beloved, We continue with our study
Page 36 and 37: and reproof, learn to draw counsel
Page 38 and 39: Reviews and Comments Dear Editor, P

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