June 19th is Sickle Cell Awareness Day.  Sickle Cell anemia is one of a group of disorders known as sickle cell disease. Sickle cell anemia is an inherited red blood cell disorder in which there aren't enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout your body.  While there is no cure for the disease there are treatments available to reduce the pain and help prevent complications from the disease.  Approximately 5,000 Canadians have Sickle Cell disease.

The main symptoms from this disease include anemia (too few red blood cells), pain (pain crises), swelling of the hands and feet, frequent infections, delayed growth or puberty, vision problems.

For more information, go to the SCDAC (Sickle Cell Disease Association of Canada) website: sicklecelldisease.ca.  There is an Atlantic Chapter of this organization:  Sickle Cell Disease of Atlantic Canada and you can visit the website:  https://sicklecellnovascotia.ca/health/.