About Us

Who We Are

We are a compassionate and dedicated team committed to providing expert care and support for individuals living with Sickle Cell Disease.

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Sickle Cell Cares Foundation Inc

The Sickle Cell Cares Foundation was established in the Commonwealth of Dominica in January 2013.  The founder Kellyn George is herself a sickle cell patient who has had boughts of crisis throughout her life.  Kellyn is currently twenty-eight years old and has defied survival odds based on historical life expectancy data on sickle cell patients.  Over a lifetime of sickle cell crisis, Kellyn has learnt to manage the disease through many trial periods.  Sickle Cell Cares Foundation was established to provide support to those inflicted with the disease with a view to providing awareness and solutions to maintain a healthy lifestyle where sickle cell crises are minimized.

A 2011 national census reported 380 sickle cell anaemia cases occurring on the island of Dominica. No figures were obtained for trait and thalassemia cases; however, sickle cell disease occurs at a 35% prevalence rate on the island. Due to lack of awareness of, and improper health management, morbidity and mortality from the disease are a societal norm Sickle Cell Cares Foundation is a family-oriented, registered non-profit organization dedicated to helping all people affected by the extremely serious health problem of sickle cell disease. Our purpose is to provide a range of services for Sickle Cell Disease clients and their families, including awareness, counselling to assist clients in learning about their illness, methods of disease control and pain management; educational presentations and seminars for medical, education, health/human services professionals, and the general public; support group activities and the promotion of educational and recreational normalization activities. As a non-profit organization, we rely heavily on revenue from memberships, grant funds, donations from the private/corporate sectors and the general public. Gifts, donations and contributions are tax deductible.

Our Mission

To improve the quality of life for persons with Sickle Cell Disease and members of their family, and educate the public about this devastating hereditary blood disorder.

Our Vision

To be the preeminent provider of education and supportive awareness services for persons with Sickle Cell Disease and members of their families; and, a resource for offering professional development seminars about Sickle Cell Disease for educators, health and human services providers, employers and the general public.

Our History

Sickle Cell Disease is the name given to Sickle Cell Anaemia, Sickle Cell trait, and Beta Thalassemia collectively. This disease is an inherited genetic mutation that causes red blood cells to become abnormally shaped, and thus restricting the amount of oxygen the cell is able to carry. The abnormal, or sickle, shape of the red blood cells causes them to clump together forming clots that get stuck in blood vessels. Sickle-cell disease, or sickle-cell anemia or sometimes drepanocytosis, is a hereditary blood disorder, Sickle-cell disease is associated with a number of acute and chronic health problems, such as severe infections, attacks of severe pain, and stroke, and there is an increased risk of death. Sickle-cell disease occurs when a person inherits two abnormal copies of the hemoglobin gene, one from each parent. Several subtypes exist, depending on the exact mutation in each hemoglobin gene. A person with a single abnormal copy does not experience symptoms and is said to have sickle-cell trait.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Question

We’ve compiled a list of common inquiries to provide you with swift and comprehensive answers. Explore this section to resolve any doubts or concerns you may have.
Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder in which the red blood cells can become crescent shaped like a moon or sickle. Red blood cells should be shaped like a disc that looks like a doughnut with the hole filled. This doughnut shape allows red blood cells to flow freely and survive longer in the blood vessels. Sickle shaped red blood cells do not survive as long as normal red blood cells. They can also clog the blood vessels, blocking blood flow to an organ or tissue. A combination of a low blood count (anemia) and blood vessel blockage is responsible for the complications of sickle cell disease.
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Expert Care for Sickle Cell Disease

Contact Sickle Cell Cares today to access expert care and support for Sickle Cell Disease. Our compassionate team is here to address your inquiries and provide personalized assistance on your journey to improved health. Reach out to us now for a brighter tomorrow.
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