Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited blood disorder. People with SCD have an abnormal form of the protein hemoglobin, which causes red blood cells to become rigid, sticky, and crescent shaped. These cells, called ‘sickle cells’, can get stuck in blood vessels and clog the flow of blood, causing problems such as organ damage and recurring episodes of severe pain. Additionally, sickle cells die more quickly than regular red blood cells, causing fatigue due to the lack of oxygen-carrying red blood cells.

In the United States, about 100,000 people are diagnosed with SCD—90% of whom are African American. While the survival rates for people with SCD have been improving over time, access to comprehensive care is limited and SCD treatment centers and research remain underfunded.