September is designated as National Sickle Cell Awareness Month to increase understanding and support for those living with the blood disorder that affect millions worldwide. Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited disease that affects the body’s hemoglobin. Normal hemoglobin red blood cells are round and smooth; in a child with sickle cell disease, red blood cells are hard, sticky and shaped like a crescent, or sickle. Children with SCD may face complications like pain crises, frequent infections, anemia, organ damage, stroke and acute chest syndrome.
The Alabama Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s of Alabama, which is ranked among the best pediatric programs in the nation, cares for more than 1,000 children and young adults with SCD. The center is a partnership between Children’s of Alabama, the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program, the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB, UAB Lifespan Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center (UAB LCSCC) and national childhood research entities, including the National Cancer Institute and the Children’s Oncology Group. It brings together the care, compassion and facilities of Children’s of Alabama with the research conducted at UAB.
Patients living with SCD require different approaches at different life stages to ensure the continuity of expert care. Comprehensive sickle cell centers provide specialized, coordinated care throughout the patient’s entire lifespan, bringing together pediatric sickle cell specialists, adult hematologists, psychologists, pain management experts, nurse practitioners, social workers, education specialists and child life specialists.
At Children’s, the focus is not only on physical health needs, but also mental health support, pain management, preventive care and family education. These programs provide personalized care for physical and emotional health needs, recognizing that sickle cell disease affects every aspect of life.
Comprehensive care plans include medications to reduce complications from sickle cell disease as well as the latest treatment advances, including hydroxyurea therapy, blood transfusion programs and bone marrow transplantation when appropriate. We also participate in clinical research to bring patients access to cutting-edge treatments. The team is dedicated to working to improve patient’s lives. To learn more about the center and to read patient stories of hope, visit https://www.childrensal.org/services/alabama-center-childhood-cancer-and-blood-disorders/cancer-and-blood-disorders-programs-3