OUR MISSION
To improve the treatment, quality of care, quality of life, and long-term outlook for individuals living with sickle cell disease by research, education, awareness and advocacy.
What is Sickle Cell Disease?
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited blood disorder that affects red blood cells. People with SCD have red blood cells that contain mostly hemoglobin S, an abnormal type of hemoglobin. Sometimes these red blood cells become sickle-shaped (crescent shaped) and have difficulty passing through small blood vessels.
When sickle-shaped cells block small blood vessels, less blood can reach that part of the body. Tissue that does not receive a normal blood flow eventually becomes damaged. This is what causes the complications of SCD. There is currently no universal cure for sickle cell disease.
Why we’re here.
The American Red Cross lists SCD as the most common genetic blood disease in the United States. The life expectancy of someone with SCD is about 42 to 47 years, according to the American Society of Hematology. The Sickle Cell Foundation of Tennessee was established by Dr. Trevor K. Thompson to raise awareness and to help others with the disease with peer mentorship, education, advocacy, and other areas of support. The appropriate transition of care from pediatric to adult medicine and hematology care is crucial. Recently, the United States Senate passed the bipartisan Sickle Cell Disease Research, Surveillance, Prevention, and Treatment Act. The bill represents a commitment by the government to continue much-needed research towards increasing the understanding of prevalence, distribution, therapies, and quality of life issues associated with SCD.
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