Sickle Cell Does Not Win!

I've grown a lot since this high school picture and I've learned some hard life lessons. I conquered the world, best I could, with an unbeaten strength, the grace of God and the willingness to never give up.

Since that day a lot has changed. One thing that hasn't changed, is my resolve that Sickle Cell does not win. I resolve this every morning that I wake up in pain, and every night when I thank God for His strength. I've missed some things, but not my resolve to keep living, keep giving, and keep praising. 

As my journey continues into membership in AARP (Ameican Association of Retired People), I look forward. I ask myself, and God, What else can I do to educate, inform and speak for people with sickle cell? And I wait because everything I do now takes longer & my strength.

The answer is blood. People with sickle cell need blood, need donors, and need help with the gift of life that blood offers. I love blood donors, and marvel at their various reasons why they give blood. And I Love it! 

So, today I'm a blood donor advocate. I volunteer even when I'm in pain, because someone might receive blood that will save their life. Thank you Lord for my second wind.

Find out where you to donate blood and save 3 lives with 1 donation 

www.redcross.org

www.redcross.org/blood

Treating Sickle Cell Disease With Transfusion Therapy

 

From time to time I get request from people to write guest blogs on the subject of Sickle Cell Disease and associated treatments. I encourage my readers to read, research and write about sickle cell.

 

I do not endorse any one treatment or the guest blogger's comments, but I do want my readers to be involved in the process of treatment analysis.

 

I have my personal opinions about the subject of "Transfusion Therapy" and its associated risks, i.e. causing Iron Overload (damage to liver, heart & other organs), Alloimmunity (immunity against transfused red blood cells & antibodies that target and destroy the transfused blood cells), Hyperviscosity (sticky blood which can cause stroke, higher blood pressure), and Transmission of virus' (more transfusions could = more chance of transferred blood infection). But, I'll keep my opinions to myself.

 

What I will say is; "Know the benefits AND risks with any treatment or 'cure'. Talk to your doctor and weight them for yourself, then decide what treatment is best for you."   

 

This guest blogger is Alex Kerwin, a Michigan-based freelance writer from Central Michigan University. Outside of writing, he helps organizes support groups for those struggling with addiction.

"One of the leading treatments for sickle cell anemia is transfusion therapy.

 

The Seriousness of Transfusion Therapy
Transfusion therapy can save the life of a patient with sickle cell anemia. In other cases, transfusion therapy can protect organs from becoming damaged by the disease. The treatment is very serious and requires much attention to detail. Any doctor without extensive knowledge of sickle cell anemia may wind up causing new complications that would otherwise never occur.

Red blood cells are very complicated to handle in a medical fashion. However, if the procedures are performed correctly, the transfusion therapy will have very beneficial results. Transfusion therapy will cause a suppression of circulating cells that have been deformed by the disease. This helps to reduce episodes of pain and other symptoms by introducing healthy and well shaped red blood cells into the body.

The Many Types of Transfusion Therapy

Transfusion therapy can be performed in a variety of ways. Simple transfusion, erythrocytapheresis and partial exchange are all methods of transfusion used for specific cases. The most extreme cases would usually benefit from a treatment of erythrocytapheresis. Whichever specific method is used, transfusion works by introducing new cells into the body. This blood can be of any age, because age usually has no impact on the blood.

The major debate about transfusion therapy is related to the lack of knowledge of how the body may react to cell transfusion. There are many potential dangers when receiving cell therapy. The main goal of transfusion therapy is to add more healthy red blood cells in order to remove the threat of the sickle shaped cells. The problem is red blood cells contain iron. When a patient receives numerous blood transfusions, they may accumulate too much iron in the body. Transfusion therapy is a serious operation that should be discussed at length with the doctor before any decisions are made."

Sources:

 

http://scinfo.org/guidelines/transfusion-therapy

http://www.ihtc.org/medical-professionals/blood-disorders/sickle-cell-disease/transfusion-therapy/

http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/sickle-cell-anemia/treatment.html

 

Thank you Adam, I really appreciate your time and effort to educate people about this therapy.

 

 

 

 

 



New Years Resolution

(blood donor at Boston University)


On September 1st, 2011, Charon Simmons 22, went into cardiac arrest not once but twice and had multiple organ failure.Due to multiple organ failure, Charon needed over 75% of his blood replaced for a survival chance of living. He received multiple transfusions of red blood cells and platelets as a very important part of his treatment.

Charon has Sickle Cell Disease.

On Janurary 7th, 2012 The Sickle Cell Foundation of Orange County (CA) is sponsoring a Replenishment Blood Drive and Bone Marrow Screening in honor of Charon Simmons. The public and many friends of Charon are encouraged to donate blood in support of his journey back to health. (contact info@scdfoc.org for more information)

Charon's story reminded me of the millions of people (world-wide) who also suffer with Sickle Cell Disease and need blood transfusions.

If you're one of those people who makes a New Years resolution, add to the top of your list for 2012....
1) Give the gift of life - give blood.

If you can't give blood (you suffer with health issues), then plan a blood drive and have your friends and family support you. We can all help somebody who's hurting this new year, let's put some effort in being our brother's & sister's keeper.

Have a blessed New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!
www.redcross.org

Iron Overload

Did you know if you get 10 blood transfusions (in your lifetime) that you are at risk for iron overload?

No? I didn't either.

What is iron overload?

Healthy red blood cells usually live 120 days, damaged (sickled) cells live less. People with sickle cell or Thalassemia sometimes need to get a blood transfussion.

When we receive a blood transfusion we get more "hemoglobin", which helps our blood carry more oxygen. This is one reason we feel better after a getting a transfusion.

The blood in the transfusion also puts iron in our body. Over time, this iron builds up and our body has no way to get rid of it. It does not eliminate iron like other waste. This is Iron Overload (IO).

We can still have anemia AND have too much iron.

Too much iron can build up in our body (after 10 or more transfusions), even if a long time has passed between transfusions. (I DIDN'T KNOW THIS)

Iron Overload (IO) can lead to serious health problems, both now and later. Too much iron in your body can: (1) weaken your immune system, (2) cause sexual dysfunction or infertility, (3) heart failure (4) Liver damage (cancer), and (5) Diabetes.

Find out more information on Iron Overload (IO) and what actions you can take to be transfusion smart.

www.betransfusionsmart.com

RedCross.org

Blood & Sickle Cell Disease

Blood is the life force within our bodies. Like oil in an engine, we can’t run without it. We can live with a transplanted heart and we can live without a kidney. If we lose a limb, we can order up a prostatic part and keep going.

Blood, however, cannot be replaced entirely. Sure, we can get transfusions, which will supplement what we already have, but we need a full supply to live.

People with sickle cell have red blood cells with a shorter life span. Usually, red blood cells live 120 days. For people with sickle cell the red blood cell lives only 10 -20 days. When those short-lived red blood cells die prematurely it also causes anemia. To top that off, in addition to having short-lived red blood cells, the ones we do have are sickled shaped and lacking oxygen.

Transfusions may be needed if red blood counts get too low to sustain life. Blood is made up of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. Blood is transfused either as whole blood (with all its parts) or as individual parts. Every person has one blood type (A, B, AB, or O). Also, every person’s blood has an RH negative or RH positive. When getting a transfusion, the blood type received must work with your blood type.

*

Getting many blood transfusions can cause too much iron to build up (iron overload). People, who require multiple transfusions, are at risk for iron overload. Iron overload can damage the liver, heart, and other parts of your body. Blood transfusions can also damage lungs, making it hard to breathe. Most patients recover, however, 5 to 25 percent of patients (who are very ill to begin with) develop life threatening lung injuries.

When getting blood transfusions there is a (small) chance of contracting a virus or infection. In addition, some people experience allergic reactions. (I once grew hair on my chest after receiving a transfusion.) Hey, I’m a woman and this ain’t supposed to happen.

At some point, most people with sickle cell disease will need a blood transfusion, some more than others. Overall, this life flowing fluid is a blessing. Those of us who receive it, thankfully do. Those of you who give it, thank god for you.

For more information see:
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/bt/bt_summary.html