This Week in Sickle Cell News May 4th to the 10th

By Sean Marshall

It was reported by YDR lifestyle as well as No Sweat, York that yoga may be the next big thing to help people with sickle cell get the exercise they need. It was explained by the author of these articles Thorne McFarlane, an individual that suffers form sickle cell that unlike many more psychotically demanding sports or physical activities that “left me humiliated in a puddle of my own inadequacy. In trying to keep pace with my classmates, I was often left breathless.” However according to Mcfarlane yoga gave a balance back into their life.

The article itself is more of an experience piece rather then one of authority what it lacks in data figures and charts it makes up for in real life experiences. Mcfarlane admits that they are no champion of yoga and that they have no medical expertise about the human body but that having a physical activity that allowed for them to exercise be part of a group without a competitive atmosphere made dealing with sickle cell that much easier.
The report is much more detailed and these are really just the highlights but its worth a read none the less to just see another persons struggles with sickle cell disease and how they overcame them.


The more detailed story can be found here: http://www.yorkblog.com/nosweat/2015/05/07/place-of-placidity-seeking-inspiration-and-balance-through-yoga/#more-11653

Good news out of India this week. It was reported by The Times of India this week that a sickle cell NGO specifically the Sickle Cell Society of India or the SCSI for short is pushing to make sure that Sickle Cell awareness day is more widely known. It was explained that the organization has been able to meet with finance minister Sundhir Mungantiwar to request that the state start marking the date with awareness drives and other campaigns.

So far they are still waiting on a response however the SCSI are staying positive a quote from the article sums up their feelings on the issue. “Like awareness day for all major diseases is observed, so should also have a sickle cell day. The day can also double up as the occasion when the facilities given to the patients and their problems can be discussed with government representatives."

The full article can be found here: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Demand-for-observing-sickle-cell-day/articleshow/47134964.cms

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