source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

What Is Sickle Cell Disease?

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a group of inherited red blood cell disorders.

• Healthy red blood cells are round and they move through small blood vessels carrying oxygen to all parts of the body.

• In SCD, the red blood cells become hard and sticky and look like a C-shaped farm tool called a “sickle”.

• Sickle cells die early, which causes a constant shortage of red blood cells.

• Sickle cells can get stuck in small blood vessels and block the flow of blood and oxygen to organs in the body. These blockages cause repeated episodes of severe pain, organ damage, serious infections, or even stroke.

What Causes Sickle Cell Disease?

SCD is inherited in the same way that people get the color of their eyes, skin, and hair.

• A person with SCD is born with it.

• People cannot catch SCD from being around a person who has it.