Rest in Paradise Prodigy

Albert Johnson, better known by his stage name Prodigy, was an American rapper and one half of the hip hop duo Mobb Deep with Havoc. Prodigy suffered from Sickle Cell Anemia(SS) and was hospitalized a couple days ago due to complications stemming from Sickle Cell Anemia. Prodigy sadly passed away June 20th in Las Vegas due to those complications he was 42 years young.

He was an advocate for sickle cell and those who suffered he once said in an interview " I was diagnosed with sickle cell when I was 3 months old. I have the worst type of sickle cell … the ‘SS’ type. If I don’t take care of myself and do the right things, I will experience a severely painful sickle cell crisis; all my joints hurt; it’s a bad scene. Before I really knew how to take care of myself, I was in and out of the hospital … they had me on morphine for pain, IVs in my arm, couldn’t get comfortable for days at a time … it was really hard on my body,” ​

​RIP Prodigy #SICKLEMOBB #sicklecellawareness

 Hydroxyurea: Did you Know?
Author: Kara Martina, Biopsychology B. Sc.

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    The blood Journal describes Hydroxyurea as both a feared and an overused drug. It's praised one moment, shot down the next. What's the truth about hydroxyurea and its potential treatment for those with Sickle Cell disease? The answers aren't so simple. Given its both lauded and loathed reputation, hydroxyurea is worth knowing more about......


Did you know hydroxyurea reduces the amount of sickle cell crises?

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Watch the Signs.
Author: Kara Martina, B. Sc. Biopsychology  
You know you need a transplant when....
Bone marrow transplants are the only known successful cure for sickle cell patients. Not without risks, this procedure can save Sickle Cell patients from reoccurring crises. Potentially able to survive for most of their lives without a BMT, several signs indicate one is necessary....

1) More and more transfusions are needed, due to the increase number of crisis moments. Too many transfusions lead to iron overload and may indicate that a better, more long-term solution is needed.  

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HELP MAKE IT LEGISLATION 

Support Bill C-221: An Act respecting a comprehensive National strategy for Sickle Cell Disease and Thalassemic Disorders
PETITION to the House of Commons in Parliament assembled. 

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The Most Important Part of the Struggle: Bill C-221/Bill 175 & Sickle Cell Disease​

Author: Deleone Downes, B.A. English/History

As readers may or may not be aware, September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month.  


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More In-depth Analysis of the Relationship between Nutrition and Sickle Cell Disease

Author: Deleone Downes, B.A. English/History
According to NutritionMD.org, SCD sufferers require higher levels of calories and micro-nutrients, being vitamins and minerals.  As corroborated by a plethora of sources, "a diet emphasizing fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes will provide a great proportion of essential vitamins and minerals absent from Western diets, coupled with supplements (one to three times the recommended intake for most essential nutrients)," thus preventing potential deficiencies in caloric intake and required minerals, vitamins and nutrients.

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Did you Know? Cold water Chlorine filled pools hurt us!!!!

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Everybody loves to jump in a pool on a hot summer day, but it might not be the best thing for your Sickle child. The Chlorine that is put in pools and hot tubs are known to start crisis' in Sickle Cell patients. 


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Kicking the Sick out of Sickle Cell
Author: Deleone Downes, B.A. English/History
​Misconceptions of Sickle Cell Anemia or Sickle Cell Disease

When it comes to Sickle Cell Anemia or Sickle Cell Disease (hereinafter referred to as "SCA" for the former and "SCD" for the latter, and used interchangeably), there are many misconceptions.  One, for example, is SCA only, or rather, for the most part, affects individuals of African/Caribbean descent.  This simply is not true.  

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The Lymph System: 
How the Lymph System is Affected by Sickle Cell Disease

Author: Kara Martina, B. Sc. Biopsychology

            Responsible for the drainage of the body, the Lymph system provides a pathway for fats and fat soluble vitamins. It returns proteins and tissue fluids back to the blood, also helping to defend the body by transporting white blood cells.   

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