Sickle Cell disease is a painful, potentially fatal disorder

Sickle cell disease, also called sickle cell anemia, is an inherited chronic disorder of the blood affecting the shape of the red blood cells. Normally disc shaped, the cells become crescent shaped, like sickles, and function abnormally. 

Because the damaged red blood cells break down or the bone marrow fails to produce enough new cells, the disease causes anemia. As the abnormal red cells get stuck in blood vessels, patients can experience recurring episodes of pain, frequently centering the chest, arms and legs, or even life threatening strokes. Besides enduring painful attacks, afflicted patients can incur serious damage to their internal organs and are prone to frequent infections. 

Since 1983, more than 2,000 Texas children have been diagnosed with sickle cell disease. Although approximately eight of every 100,000 people develop sickle cell disease, it is more prevalent in certain populations, affecting one in every 400 African Americans, and one in every 1,000 to 1,400 Hispanic Americans.