Sickle Cell Bottle Water Challenge

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One in every 12 African-Americans carry the sickle cell trait or have the disease. However, minorities are not the only ones at risk. In the U.S., between 70,000 – 100,000 individuals have sickle cell disease but 3 million have sickle cell trait.

“Just because you don’t see the face of sickle cell anemia, doesn’t mean it’s not all around us,” Vallien said before suggesting that people be tested for the sickle-cell trait to diminish the chance of passing it to a child. According to the National Sicke Cell Disease Association of America,
•If one parent has Sickle Cell Anemia and the other is Normal, all of the children will have sickle cell trait.

•If one parent has Sickle Cell Anemia and the other has Sickle Cell Trait, there is a 50% chance (or 1 out of 2) of having a baby with either sickle cell disease or sickle cell trait with each pregnancy.

•When both parents have Sickle Cell Trait, they have a 25% chance (1 of 4) of having a baby with sickle cell disease with each pregnancy. A simple blood test can determine if someone possess the trait.

To Donate Funds Go To http://www.sicklecelldisease.org/ To Donate Blood Contact Your Local Red Cross

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