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Sickle Cell Awareness Month
With your help, we can discover better treatments and accelerate research that will lead to a cure.
September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month. Sickle cell disease is a genetic condition that affects the body’s red blood cells. It occurs when a child receives two sickle cell genes—one from each parent. In someone living with this disease, the red blood cells become hard and sticky and look like a C-shaped farm tool called a “sickle.”
Early diagnosis and prevention of complications is extremely important for kids with sickle cell disease. Sickle Cell Awareness Month helps bring a greater understanding of sickle cell disease, inspires funding into better treatments and potential cures and lifts up the stories of children and families facing a sickle cell diagnosis.
How You Can Help
Lurie Children’s works to improve the health and well-being of patients affected by sickle cell disease within a kid-friendly, family-focused environment. With your support, we can ensure that children not only survive their illness, but are able to thrive in their daily life. Since greater awareness of sickle cell disease leads to more funding, more support and more action, your voice is critical.
Start a Fundraiser
Donate your birthday. Host a lemonade stand. Climb a mountain. You can do anything to raise money for the patients and families at Lurie Children’s! By creating a fundraiser, you help amplify our mission to provide healthier futures for kids facing sickle cell disease.
Learn MoreMake a Donation
As a nonprofit hospital, we rely on your support to research better treatments and cures for kids facing sickle cell disease. Your gift can also help support families facing a difficult diagnosis and treatment.
Learn MoreSpread the Word
Your voice can change the future for kids. Increased awareness of childhood cancer will help drive funding for research, treatment and care. Spread the word on social media and let your friends and family know it’s Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month.
Learn MoreLurie Children’s Sickle Cell Disease Program
We work to improve the health and well-being of patients affected by sickle cell disease within a kid-friendly, family-focused environment. Our specialists are trained to treat children with sickle cell disease, meet their specific needs and counsel all family members on preventive treatment measures and serious complications.
Support services are integral to our approach and we sponsor numerous programs, such as a parent to parent network, community education and outreach, annual social activities for patients and their families, scholastic achievement programs and a formal program for transitioning patients to adult care. Learn more about our Sickle Cell Disease Program.
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