World Sickle Cell Day is an international awareness day commemorated every year on 19 June, to alert the global public about sickle cell disease. Various global and local organisations come together during this day to promote awareness campaigns and activities which recognise the necessity of the early diagnosis of sickle cell disease, its treatment, and preventive tips to avoid the ailment.
June 19th was officially designated as World Sickle Cell Awareness Day. The international awareness day is observed annually with the goal to increase public knowledge and an understanding of sickle cell disease, and the challenges experienced by patients and their families and caregivers.
Sickle cell disease is one of the majorly occurring monogenic diseases (over 3,00,000 affected births worldwide). The majority of them are seen in low- and middle-income countries.
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited blood disorder that causes “sickle” shaped red blood cells that can stick together, blocking blood flow and oxygen from reaching all parts of the body. People with SCD can experience serious pain (also known as pain crises), anemia, infection, and other serious health problems that may require treatment by a healthcare provider. Children and adults with SCD often require care in the emergency department (ED) of a hospital or clinic for treatment when health problems such as pain crises cannot be managed at home.
