Help Fight Sickle Cell Disease
Sickle cell disease is a genetic blood disorder that affects hemoglobin in red blood cells. Hemoglobin is a protein that carries oxygen to all parts of the body. Normal red blood cells are round and smooth.
In a child with sickle cell disease, red blood cells are hard, sticky and shaped like a crescent. Sickled red blood cells stick together and block blood vessels, causing complications and excruciating pain, such as:
- Acute chest syndrome: Sudden damage to lung tissue is common in children with sickle cell disease.
- Fever and infection: Even minor infections become a medical emergency for a child with sickle cell disease.
- Nephropathy: When sickled red blood cells get trapped inside the blood vessels of the kidneys, they cause kidney damage.
- Pain: Sickled red blood cells get stuck and block the flow of blood to parts of the body, such as bones, lungs, spleen, brain, eyes and kidneys, causing immense pain.
- Stroke: A blockage or bleeding of the blood vessels can cause a loss of blood supply to parts of the brain, leading to a stroke.
Read Stories of Hope and Inspiration From Our Patients
The Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta has the nation’s largest pediatric sickle cell disease program, caring for more than 2,000 unique sickle cell disease patients each year.
We provide comprehensive care with innovative therapies like blood and marrow transplants (BMTs) and transfusion therapy, right here in Georgia. Currently, not everyone is a match for BMT and gene therapy.
We believe in a future in which every child who is born with sickle cell disease is treated so that he or she is free of this painful and life-threatening condition. But we need your help. Your dollars will support our research to make this future a reality.
See How We’re Fighting Sickle Cell Disease
-
Alexia and her son, Jayvon, have sickle cell disease
Learn how Alexia compares the care her son receives at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center with her own healthcare experiences as a child.
-
How a BMT helped Xavier beat sickle cell disease
Only 1 in 10 sickle cell disease patients ever find a matching bone marrow donor. Watch how the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center was able to help Xavier and his family.
-
Tamara New, MD, Pediatric Hematologist, discusses sickle cell disease
Find out how your donation can help fund much-needed research and treatment options for children in our care who are fighting sickle cell disease.
The Future of Pediatric Cancer and Blood Disorders Care
Contact Us 404-785-1112