Community Project Funding/Congressionally Directed Spending - Construction - Sickle cell disease (SCD) is characterized by production of abnormal hemoglobin (“sickled” red blood cells), resulting in anemia, susceptibility to pneumococcal and other infections, chronic pain, stroke, and multiple organ dysfunctions. SCD affects over 100,000 Americans. SCD is an Inherited blood disorders that specifically affect red blood cells and can cause lifelong disabilities and reduce life expectancy. People with SCD face many stigmatizations because the disease is reportedly affecting primarily African Americans, and Latin Americans. However, this disease is prevalent globally and affects many other ethnicities and nationalities. The “sickle hemoglobinopathies are reported to be found in South America, South East Asia, the Mediterranean, Middle East, and India. Due to chronic pain that results from the having SCD, people, primarily adults, are treated poorly when they seek medical care. Patients have reported being called “drug seekers” frequent Fliers” and they are often denied appropriate treatment in the health care system. One hospital reported that such patients will die as a result of lack of appropriate medical care, at lease 2 patients per month. According to American Society of Hematology, there is a lack of Hematologists to provide appropriate care for people with SCD. Children with SCD generally receive better care. As adolescent and young adult patients transition to adult medical care, their healthcare needs increase and services decline due to the lack of comprehensive adult treatment programs. Our mission is to provide resources that will improve the quality of life for people with Sickle Cell Disease and other hemoglobinopathies; through education and advocacy of the disease, improve access to treatment, research, and funding. The mission is personified through our unconditional commitment and dedication to health care, advocacy, provider education, referrals and health equity. WSCO empowers patients and families to make personal well-health goal. Our vision is to provide holistic support and education while building stronger collaborative community partnerships that will guide the patents/families to bring about sustainable changes and gain equitable health care.
