World Sickle Cell Awareness Day 2024: Know more about the SCD to help raise awareness

Every year World Sickle Cell Awareness Day is observed on June 19 to increase public knowledge and awareness of sickle cell disease (SCD). The day also focuses on the challenges experienced by patients and their families and caregivers. SCD is a genetic blood disorder that affects over 1 million individuals in the US. For more important information related to World Sickle Cell Awareness Day 2024 such as its history, observation, theme, importance, etc, you can follow this article.

World Sickle Cell Awareness Day 2024 Overview

World Sickle Cell Awareness Day 2024 Date

Below mentioned are the upcoming dates for World Sickle Cell Awareness Day for the upcoming 5 years.

What is Sickle Cell Disease?

Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder in which red blood cells are found to contain mostly hemoglobin S. Hemoglobin S is an abnormal type of hemoglobin in which the red blood cells become sickle-shaped and face problems while passing through small blood vessels. When this happens, less blood can reach that part of the body in which the blood vessel is blocked and the tissues do not receive a normal blood flow. Such tissues eventually become damaged.

Currently, there is no universal cure for sickle cell disease and its treatment is mainly focused on preventing and treating pain episodes and other complications. To ease the pain, the person suffering from SCD can try the following:

• Drinking plenty of water
• Not getting too hot or too cold.
• Avoiding places or situations that cause exposure to high altitudes or low oxygen levels

Significance of World Sickle Cell Awareness Day

The main significance of World Sickle Cell Awareness Day is to awareness about this deadly disease. By educating people more about this disease, many lives can be saved. The day encourages people to care for those who are affected by the disease and support their families in any way possible. WSCD not only educates people about the disease, but also its symptoms, treatments, and other things related to the disease.

History of World Sickle Cell Awareness Day

The World Health Organization and the United Nations recognize sickle cell disease as a global public health priority. To raise awareness of the disease, these bodies have designated the 19th day of June every year to be observed as World Sickle Cell Day (WSCD).

Observation of World Sickle Cell Awareness Day

The best way to observe World Sickle Cell Awareness Day is to spread awareness in the community about the disease. Any individual or organization can organize events to educate people about sickle cell disease. You can also help SCD patients by donating blood or bone marrow.

Check other Special Days in June

Lesser-known Facts about Sickle Cell Disease

1. Sickle cell disease is the most common genetic blood disorder.
2. While sickle cell disease is more common in African-Americans, it can still affect populations of other races as well.
3. Specialized blood tests confirm sickle cell trait or sickle cell disease.
4. Breathing problems are very common in children with SCD.
5. As of now, only one drug is available to reduce painful sickle cell-related episodes.
6. It is less common for a person with sickle cell trait to catch malaria.
7. Children with sickle cell are at risk for stroke.
8. Sickle cell disease can make it difficult for people to get pregnant.

Frequently Asked Questions