Sickle cell anemia is an inherited blood disease which can cause bouts of pain, damage vital organs or even cause death in early childhood years. It occurs when a person inherits two sickle cell genes or a combonation of a sickle cell gene plus any one of many abnormal genes.

Hemoglobin is responsible for carring oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. The change that occurs in the oxygen flow causes sickle cell symptoms. In a person with sickle cell during the release of oxygen from the red blood cells, the cell becomes distorted. The cells form a rigid banana or sickle shape which can clog blood vessels.

The sickle cells tend to become trapped

Linde, Shirly Motter, Sickle Cell A complete guide to prevention New York, Pavilion Publishing Co. (C)1972

Bloom, Mariam, Understanding Sickle Cell Disease, Jackson: University Press of Mississippi. (C)1995

Sickle cell is a disease that could at one time affect you. The chances may be slim but there is always a chance for anything. With groups like the March of Dimes, people can be supported in their struggle against sickle cell. As of right now, researchers are trying to understand and improve the treatment of this birth defect. You should always feel free to ask any questions about sickle cell and how it might affect you or your family. To be inquisitive might just save you or one of your loved ones someday.

Some common words found in the essay are:
, Hemoglobin Electrophoresis, CAUSE PAIN, March Dimes, Asian Ancestry, sickle cell, DISEASE United, Sickle Cell, Beta Thalassemia, sickle cell anemia, cell anemia, red blood, blood cells, red blood cells, Anemia Wold, Mississippi C1995, sickle cell disease, cell disease, cells stuck, cell gene, cause pain, sickle cell gene, 25% he/she,
Approximate Word count = 710
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)