Sickle Cell Disease
Sickle cell disease is a hereditary condition that alters the shape of the hemoglobin molecule. The hemoglobin molecule gives blood its red color and allows the red blood cells to carry oxygen. This misshapen molecule alters the shape of the red blood cells. These poorly shaped cells move slowly or sometimes not at all through the body’s smaller blood vessels. This can cause pain, damage, infection, and a condition called anemia or low blood count. To get answers to all your sickle cell disease questions, visit our list of Recommended Sites.
In the United States, sickle cell anemia affects somewhere around 72,000 people. People with African-American heritage are particularly at risk for sickle cell disease. PhillyHealthInfo.org is here to help you find sickle cell support groups and treatment programs in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, or Philadelphia County. Our health services list in the blue box on the right side of the page is a good place to start.










