Sickle-cell anemia

Sickle-cell anemia is a hereditary blood disorder associated with chronic anemia, periodic episodes of pain and other complications.

In those affected, the life expectancy of red blood cells is 6 to 12 times shorter than normal. Instead of being flexible and round, these cells become rigid and assume a sickle shape.

The change in shape prevents cells from entering smaller blood vessels, thereby depriving body tissues and certain organs of oxygen. This can result in lesions on the arms, legs or organs (spleen, kidneys and brain).

One of the treatments for this disease consists of blood exchanges (erythrocytapheresis) to remove the red blood cells of the person affected and replace them with those of healthy donors. This procedure usually takes place every four weeks and requires red blood cells from 10 different donors. On a yearly basis, one person with sickle cell anemia will need blood from 130 different donors on average.

But the challenge is even more daunting when you know that persons who receive transfusions on a frequent basis are at risk of developing antibodies that result in adverse reactions during transfusion. One solution to reduce these adverse reactions is for the donor and recipient to share a similar genetic makeup.

Mobilizing donors from Black communities makes a major difference in the quality of life of persons with sickle cell anemia who require transfusions on a frequent basis.