Latest news with #sicklecell
WebMD
6 days ago
- Health
- WebMD
A Severe Crisis Disrupts My Routine
Back in March, I had a severe sickle cell crisis that forced me to go to the hospital for stronger medication than I have at home. It had been three years since I'd had to do this. In those three years of being out of the hospital, I had no disruptions to my routine. A life free from the hospital began to feel achievable. All my other crises were manageable at home. When I recover from this level of crisis, I often experience amnesia about the events. I don't recall the pain or every detail of what I was going through because with something so traumatic, it is best to forget in some parts to move forward. However, a few days after the crisis began, I recorded my thoughts to document what was going through my mind. Looking back at the transcript, I realize how raw and dark my emotions were. It's a stark contrast to my usual "make lemonade out of lemons" attitude when I write publicly. I woke up at 2:30 a.m. and immediately felt that familiar pressure building around my body, accompanied by excruciating pain. The intensity of the crisis was a solid 10 out of 10. It felt like the pain was everywhere: my legs, my back, my arm, and my head were all under pressure. I couldn't breathe. Struggling for air, I took my most potent medications to try to alleviate some of the pain. When my friend asked if I wanted to go to the hospital, I didn't hesitate. That moment showed that this crisis was beyond what I could manage at home. I've always given my medication time to work before seeking medical attention, but this felt different. The pain and the sensation were so intense, it felt like death was calling me. But I wasn't ready to die. At that moment, I realized that at least with medical care, I might have a chance to hang on a little longer. That was the hope. My friends helped carry me to the car, wrapped in blankets to keep me warm. We knew the ambulance would take too long. I'm so grateful to my support system for helping me through this, carrying me to the car, and ensuring I was as comfortable as possible. In and out of consciousness, I felt the weight of the burden I placed on them. Once again, I exposed my loved ones to the ugliness of what sickle cell can do. It's never easy for them, and it's never easy for me. Despite everything, I overcame that moment because these people are my family. The family sees you at your best and worst. As I entered the hospital, the nurse started the triage process. I tried to stay calm. I knew that the more I panicked, the worse the pain and fear would become. Maintaining my breathing and emotions felt impossible while the pain swirled around my body, never staying in one place. I didn't know if I was experiencing acute chest syndrome, a stroke, or just a full-body sickle cell crisis. It was terrifying. I waited to be seen for the proper medication and a bed. It took about an hour before I was in a room, but it felt like hours. Eventually, they transferred me to another room where the testing began. They started me on IV medication, which I could technically have at home. Still, I trusted the doctors to follow the right course of action. Slowly, the medication began to help. The pain started to ease, though the road ahead still felt long. By the time the morning came, after hours of treatment, the pain finally felt manageable. I left the hospital with my friends supporting me again, ensuring I had the necessary medications. While the potent drugs helped manage the pain, they also made me drowsy, causing my thoughts to blur. In that state, all my commitments, work, meetings, therapy sessions, and appointments faded away. All I could focus on was survival. It was a strange, disorienting place to be. I'm used to worrying about others and sticking to my commitments. Still, at that moment, I was a shell of myself, unable to function without support. It was a complex crisis that reminded me of the heavy toll sickle cell takes on both body and mind. Guilt comes in because this isn't a regular occurrence for me, while others with sickle cell go through this so routinely. I'm struggling a lot with this, but I survived, and in the end, that's what matters, time to recover fully. Recovery is always in stages – physical, mental, and spiritual – to get back to where I was before the crisis hit.
CBS News
20-06-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Families of those with sickle cell disease in Philadelphia area hope and advocate for a cure
Three-year-old Kaliph Eubanks is full of happy energy playing at the park in the Germantown section of Philadelphia. He also has sickle cell disease. Thursday marked World Sickle Cell Awareness Day, which focuses on supporting families and encouraging more research on the most common genetic disorder in the United States. "He looks normal one minute and then the next, something is wrong," Kaliph's mom, Antoinelle Whitmore, said. "You're always on the edge. You never know." Whitmore said her son has a mild case of the genetic disorder, which causes blood cells to become sickle-shaped. The cells then pile up and prevent oxygen delivery around the body, causing debilitating pain. Zemoria Brandon lost her husband to sickle cell disease. Now she works with Philadelphia's Sickle Cell Disease Association, which is raising awareness by lighting buildings in red this week. CBS News Philadelphia "It does affect people of African, Caribbean, Latino ancestry in the greatest numbers. But there are other groups … that are also affected in smaller percentages. So we just want to make sure that people know …it has a global impact," Brandon said. "The research is ongoing, and we're looking and hoping for a universal cure," Brandon said. Kaliph's mom said he's lucky so far to have only needed one blood transfusion. She lives in fear, but she's hopeful more awareness and research will lead to better treatments that are more accessible "I want him to reach for the stars. I want him to be his true authentic self," she said. "I want him to be the vibrant person he is now and not let anything hold him back." For people with severe cases of sickle cell disease, there are bone marrow transplants, and CHOP has developed a gene therapy.
News.com.au
19-06-2025
- Health
- News.com.au
Jourdan Dunn donates blood and calls for more black heritage donors
Model Jourdan Dunn has highlighted the need for more black heritage donors to come forward to give blood – as she provided a blood donation herself. Dunn, known for appearing on the catwalks of London, Paris and New York, attended the capital's newest blood donation centre in Brixton, south London, to mark World Sickle Cell Day. Dunn's teenage son Riley is one of the country's 13,000 sickle cell patients who rely on blood transfusions from black heritage donors so they can live with the condition.
The Independent
19-06-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Jourdan Dunn donates blood and calls for more black heritage donors
Model Jourdan Dunn has highlighted the need for more black heritage donors to come forward to give blood – as she provided a blood donation herself. Dunn, known for appearing on the catwalks of London, Paris and New York, attended the capital's newest blood donation centre in Brixton, south London, to mark World Sickle Cell Day. Dunn's teenage son Riley is one of the country's 13,000 sickle cell patients who rely on blood transfusions from black heritage donors so they can live with the condition. Sickle cell is the country's fastest-growing inherited blood disorder that disproportionately affects black African and black Caribbean communities, according to the NHS. Around 250 babies are born with the condition in the UK each year. The service currently needs to recruit 16,000 new black heritage blood donors this year to meet the growing need. Regular blood transfusions form the first line of defence against the condition, with patients responding best to donations containing the Ro blood type, which is significantly more prevalent in donors of black heritage. More than half (56%) of donors of black heritage are likely to have the Ro blood type, compared with just 2.4% of other ethnicities. Dunn, 34, said: 'As a mother who has seen her child battle sickle cell, I am committed to doing all I can to help him, and the thousands of other people with the condition, have the best chance to live a full and healthy life. 'That's why I've come to Brixton to give blood and ask the black community to register to do the same. 'By giving an hour of your time three to four times a year, you can save up to 12 lives – that's an amazing power you have in your hands. 'I'm incredibly thankful to the record numbers of black donors who have given blood in Brixton and across the country, but as numbers of sickle cell patients increase, so too does the need for more donors to come forward. NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) director of donor experience Mark Chambers said: 'We've seen a great response to our calls for more black heritage donors to sign up to become blood donors, but the need for more to register and become regular blood donors is growing. 'Blood transfusions to pre-empt sickle cell crises are helping more people live well with the condition, but on average we need 250 donations a year to help them, that's why it's vitally important we recruit more black heritage donors. 'Jourdan's support, both as an NHS ambassador and a donor, will hopefully encourage others to follow her lead and spare an hour of their time to make a lifesaving difference.' Sickle cell patient Calvin Campbell said: 'I owe my life to the generosity of black heritage donors. 'Every four weeks I need to have 10 to 12 units of blood transfused into my body to allow me to be relatively healthy. 'Without those blood donations I would have died years ago and not have the life I have now. 'I wouldn't have had children, grandchildren, and the ability to work.' Those wanting to donate blood can register via the NHSBT app, visit or call 0300 123 23 23.
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Jourdan Dunn donates blood and calls for more black heritage donors
Model Jourdan Dunn has highlighted the need for more black heritage donors to come forward to give blood – as she provided a blood donation herself. Dunn, known for appearing on the catwalks of London, Paris and New York, attended the capital's newest blood donation centre in Brixton, south London, to mark World Sickle Cell Day. Dunn's teenage son Riley is one of the country's 13,000 sickle cell patients who rely on blood transfusions from black heritage donors so they can live with the condition. Sickle cell is the country's fastest-growing inherited blood disorder that disproportionately affects black African and black Caribbean communities, according to the NHS. Around 250 babies are born with the condition in the UK each year. The service currently needs to recruit 16,000 new black heritage blood donors this year to meet the growing need. Regular blood transfusions form the first line of defence against the condition, with patients responding best to donations containing the Ro blood type, which is significantly more prevalent in donors of black heritage. More than half (56%) of donors of black heritage are likely to have the Ro blood type, compared with just 2.4% of other ethnicities. Dunn, 34, said: 'As a mother who has seen her child battle sickle cell, I am committed to doing all I can to help him, and the thousands of other people with the condition, have the best chance to live a full and healthy life. 'That's why I've come to Brixton to give blood and ask the black community to register to do the same. 'By giving an hour of your time three to four times a year, you can save up to 12 lives – that's an amazing power you have in your hands. 'I'm incredibly thankful to the record numbers of black donors who have given blood in Brixton and across the country, but as numbers of sickle cell patients increase, so too does the need for more donors to come forward. NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) director of donor experience Mark Chambers said: 'We've seen a great response to our calls for more black heritage donors to sign up to become blood donors, but the need for more to register and become regular blood donors is growing. 'Blood transfusions to pre-empt sickle cell crises are helping more people live well with the condition, but on average we need 250 donations a year to help them, that's why it's vitally important we recruit more black heritage donors. 'Jourdan's support, both as an NHS ambassador and a donor, will hopefully encourage others to follow her lead and spare an hour of their time to make a lifesaving difference.' Sickle cell patient Calvin Campbell said: 'I owe my life to the generosity of black heritage donors. 'Every four weeks I need to have 10 to 12 units of blood transfused into my body to allow me to be relatively healthy. 'Without those blood donations I would have died years ago and not have the life I have now. 'I wouldn't have had children, grandchildren, and the ability to work.' Those wanting to donate blood can register via the NHSBT app, visit or call 0300 123 23 23.
