World Sickle Cell Awareness Day: Each year on June 19, World Sickle Cell Awareness Day promotes efforts globally to educate people about sickle cell disease (SCD), a common blood disorder impacting many worldwide. Designated by the United Nations in 2008, this day seeks to raise awareness about why everyone with the disease needs education, support for early diagnosis, accessible care, and ongoing research.
People with sickle cell disease have genes that cause their blood cells to become stiff and shaped like sickles. This makes it difficult for oxygen to pass and causes distress, weakness, infections, serious health dangers, and pain. Though people in Sub-Saharan Africa, India, the Middle East, and the Americas most often experience the condition, it is acknowledged and understood by only a few worldwide.
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The day helps governments, healthcare institutions, NGOs, and patient groups join forces and promote understanding, support, and efforts to combat sickle cell disease. It helps us understand that criminal justice outcomes for those with SCD are influenced by social stigma, difficulty accessing treatment, and shortages of public health services.
Fundraising events, campaigns and workshops promoted on the day help unite people globally and support the introduction of new programs, equal healthcare and ongoing research. The day works to inform, encourage and strengthen those with sickle cell disease and their families.
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What Is Sickle Cell Disease? Understanding the Basics
SCD is a hereditary disease that alters the shape and function of red blood cells. Typically, our red blood cells are rounded and move without difficulty in the blood to give oxygen to all the body’s organs. Still, people with SCD have some of their red blood cells become rigid and sticky because their shape resembles a sickle or crescent moon.
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Clumping together, the unusual cells might close off blood vessels, causing episodes of severe pain and the chance of suffering from delayed growth and kidney, lung and bone problems. Since sickled cells don’t last long and die early, SCD patients often experience harm to their blood and an ongoing lack of energy.
Sickle cell disease is brought on when both parents give their child the sickle cell gene. Having just one gene means a person has sickle cell trait and might pass it to their kids, although they normally wouldn’t show symptoms.
Sickle cell disease is most common in Africa below the Sahara, India, the Middle East and occurs in people with African, Mediterranean and South Asian ancestry. WHO reports that thousands of children develop the disease annually, and many of these children cannot access early treatment and so die by age five.
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Though this condition is very serious, it can be managed properly when medical care is given quickly, including pain treatment, antibiotics, blood transfusions and bone marrow transplants if needed. It is important to know about sickle cell disease in order to help spread awareness and ensure better medical treatment for those living with the disease.
Why World Sickle Cell Awareness Day Is Important?
On June 19 each year, World Sickle Cell Awareness Day helps inform people all over the world about sickle cell disease and its effect on many individuals. On March 20, 2008, the United Nations officially created SCD Awareness Day, a worldwide effort to focus on the needs of those with SCD and the need for better diagnostic, treatment and medical support.
Though sickle cell disease affects millions globally, it tends to stay largely under the radar and receives fewer resources in most low-income countries. Before their fifth birthday, close to one-fifth of children with SCD do not make it because of late detection, limited medical care and inadequate learning about their ailment. Life after cancer for many people in high-income countries is still marked by pain, unfair treatment and fewer chances.
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This day is used to inform people, lower feelings of stigma and encourage better policies for people with sickle cell. It motivates states to cooperate with healthcare units, non-governmental groups and researches to promote efficient screening programs, help for those affected and research that supports revolutions in treatment.
On this day, patients, caregivers and advocates can share their stories and work to ensure this disease is noticed. When people unite on this day, we support achieving better early detection, improved care and even find a cure for all.
Celebrating and supporting this day is an important action to improve healthcare and justice for millions with sickle cell disease.
Efforts by Governments, NGOs, and Health Organizations
Taking action against Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a teamwork project of governments, non-government organizations in India, and health services on a global scale. Because thousands of people in Africa, India and other high-burden regions are affected by SCD, these stakeholders are working more actively to better prevent, identify, treat and inform people.
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Countries are now including care for sickle cell disease in their health strategies. In both India and Nigeria, government-run projects are beginning in areas where the disease is found more often. Nowadays, public health efforts comprise newborn screening, prenatal diagnosis and affordable or no-cost treatment programs for families.
Non-governmental organizations help a lot in connecting with underserved communities. The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (SCDAA), Sickle Cell Society UK and several grassroots organizations in India and Africa offer information campaigns, outreach to communities, counselling about genetics and support groups for those living with sickle cell disease. Some also push for updates in laws, more funding and equal access to healthcare.
Many global health bodies, for instance WHO and UNICEF, offer help in controlling SCD by giving technical advice, carrying out research and providing funds. Their goals are to reduce the number of child deaths and ensure all children can use essential health services.
Government, NGO and pharmaceutical partnerships have also resulted in exciting new gene therapy research and allowed more individuals to receive hydroxyurea.
This teamwork is helping make it possible for sickle cell disease to be well managed now and maybe cured in the future.
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How You Can Contribute to Awareness and Support
Everyone can play an important role in helping to fight Sickle Cell Disease. Despite the key role of authorities, a strong effort by everyone in the community is necessary to improve things for people with mental illnesses.
You can do a lot by teaching others and encouraging advocacy. Start off by getting knowledge about SCD and then putting out correct information about it on your social platforms, blog or community groups, most importantly on World Sickle Cell Awareness Day on June 19. If the public learns more, they are less likely to believe untrue things, can identify cancer early and feel more understanding.
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Working with nonprofits and groups in your region is a valuable way you support. You could send money, volunteer for activities or take part in campaigns and raising funds. Public donations help many organizations provide health camps, counselling, and support groups for patients and their families at no cost.
Community members should understand the importance of genetic screening, so encourage them to attend first. Helping people know their carrier status encourages informed family decisions and prevents future heart disease.
Holding drives, arranging talks on health, or setting up charity events at schools or workplaces is a useful way to share knowledge and collect cash. Anyone living with Sickle Cell Disease will appreciate compassion, understanding and support when facing discrimination.
Ultimately, take action by signing petitions, reaching out to your local officials and supporting legislative efforts that support sickle cell care, research and equal health.
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Either by talking about the issue, volunteering or giving what you can, you can join the effort to bring help, respect and better health to those with sickle cell disease.
