BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor
Sickle Cell Anemia is a disease that primarily African Americans suffer from. Children who are born to parents who both carry the Sickle Cell trait inherit the incurable disease.
Two Tampa women feel there is a need to bring together children and adults who are suffering from the illness.
On Saturday, April 27th at 11 a.m., the Sickle Cell Education Foundation & Hands of Hope-SCA will present “Bridging the Gap – Uniting Adults & Children with Sickle Cell Disease.”
The event will be held in the University of South Florida at the David Anchin Center, TECO Room, 4202 East Fowler Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33620-7500.
In a joint effort between Dr. Jawan Ayer-Cole and Ms. Cecelia “Cece” Mitchell, the event will bring together, or ‘bridge,’ the older generation and the younger generation who suffer from the disease.
During the event, they will have the opportunity to exchange knowledge of treatment and share stories between the two generations.
Ms. Williams said her sister has the Sickle Cell disease, so she was knowledgeable about the disease. However, when her grandson was born with it, she became more involved. “Children can’t speak for themselves. You have to be their voice.
“Words are powerful tools of life that cannot break us, but yet they can help us. This will also raise Sickle Cell awareness and educate the community about Sickle Cell Anemia. It will also inform the public about possible treatment and pain management that is available,” Ms. Mitchell said.
A Tampa physician, Dr. Ayer-Cole treats adult Sickle Cell Anemia patients and specializes in Hematology and Oncology.
Dr. Ayer-Cole said, “Sickle Cell Anemia is a serious, but overlooked genetic blood disorder. It affects the red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs throughout the body.”
She further stated that when a person suffers from Sickle Cell, their red blood cells only live about half the time (60 days), of a person who does not have the disease, and the body cannot produce more red blood cells. This condition produces anemia.
People with Sickle Cell Anemia have pain, ranging from mild to severe, at any time and in any part of the body. They also have frequent hospitalizations.
Sickle Cell victims also have other complications that include acute chest syndrome, pain in the joints or anywhere blood flows, and organ damage.
Anyone with questions about the event can contact Ms. Cecelia Mitchell at (813) 417-1014.
