Sickle cell disease is a disease of the red blood cells that is transmitted genetically from two parents to a child. There are many different kinds of sickle cell disease, including:

• sickle cell anemia
• sickle cell disease
• sickle beta zero thalassemia
• sickle beta plus thalassemia
• hemoglobin E 
    

Sickle cells are known for their abnormal, rigid, curved shape, which does not carry oxygen through the body. This causes pain usually in the legs, arms, stomach or chest. These painful episodes are called "crises." Certain things can cause a pain crisis to happen: high altitude, quick changes in temperature, extreme activity, or physical/emotional stress. 

Other things can happen to a person with sickle cell disease because of these abnormal red blood cells: pneumonia, stroke, osteo-infarcts (when bone deprived of its blood supply), acute chest syndrome and death. Today, we know a lot more about sickle cell disease. People with sickle cell disease can live a normal life if they take good care of themselves and go to the doctor regularly.  

We have a lot of information to share with you about sickle cell disease. Click on the In This Section links to the right to learn more about the disease.