Sickle cell anemia advocates recently participated in the Sickle Cell Disease Association of Illinois’ 37th annual Walk-Jog- Bike-A-Thon for the disease, sponsored by the Black McDonald’s Operators Association.
Most prevalent in Blacks,
sickle cell is a hereditary blood disease in which protein that carries oxygen
in the blood turns sickle-shaped and clogs blood vessels, causing extreme pain.
Patients suffer from chronic pain episodes that can last for days.
“I’m just trying to bring
more awareness to the cause, that’s the main reason why I’m out here,” said
Azzezat Sulaimon, a sickle cell patient.
She said there are many
who don’t know about the disease.
The disease affects an
estimated 70,000 to 100,000 Americans. About 1 in 12 Blacks carry the sickle
cell trait, which by itself is generally harmless. The disease occurs in about
1 in every 500 Black births, according to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention.
According to the Sickle
Cell Disease Association of Illinois, more than 2,000 Black residents in
Chicago live with the disease.
Delvon Rowell, who also
has the disease was thankful for the awareness efforts and to those who came to
support him.
“It means a lot to me…
watching him go through it and all the pain he goes through… so, hopefully one
day they’ll be able to come up
with a cure so no one has to go through this,” said Jujuan Fells, Rowell’s
friend.
Copyright 2011 Chicago Defender
