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Red Cross partnership raises sickle cell disease awareness

February 07, 2025

Consider this startling fact: 1 to 3 million Americans have sickle cell trait and many don’t know it.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a debilitating — and often invisible — condition more prevalent in Black communities and associated with health outcome and resource disparities.

To help increase understanding of this condition, Hartford HealthCare has partnered with the Red Cross on a campaign for Black History Month.

Did you know?

• SCD impacts approximately 100,000 Americans, primarily of African or Latino descent.
• The disease transforms round red blood cells into crescent or sickle shapes that can block blood vessels, impacting oxygen flow.
• People with SCD may experience severe anemia, recurring pain and life-threatening complications requiring blood transfusions.

Universal newborn screening for SCD wasn’t implemented across all states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands until 2006. While sickle cell trait is not SCD — and the trait might never develop into the disease — experts recommend people learn their status and consult with their healthcare provider.

Throughout February, follow Hartford HealthCare’s social media pages and share our content with your networks to support our communities.