Congress has designated September as “National Sickle Cell Awareness Month” to help focus attention on the need for research and treatment of sickle cell disease, an inherited condition that currently affects 70,000 to 100,000 Americans.
Sickle cell disease occurs when hemoglobin, a protein carried by the body’s red blood cells that attaches to oxygen in the lungs and transports it to all parts of the body, is abnormal, causing the red blood cells to take on a rigid “C” or sickle shape. Sickle cells can get stuck and block blood flow, causing pain and infections. As people live with sickle cell disease for years, management of the disease and healthy living are important components of care, particularly for the pediatric population.
Each year Cooper Medical School of Rowan University (CMSRU) students join with Dr. Rafat Ahmed, Cooper Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, in organizing a walk around the Cooper campus to highlight the importance of pediatric sickle cell disease research and treatment to the Camden community. This year’s walk will take place on Saturday, October 5, 2019, at 10 a.m. Participants meet at the CMSRU campus at 401 Broadway. In case of rain, all activities will remain indoors. All are welcome.
To learn more about Cooper’s Children’s Regional Hospital’s pediatric hematology/oncology program visit: https://www.cooperhealth.org/services/pediatric-hematology.