Sickle Cell Patient Program

The Valerie Fund has Sickle Cell patient programs at each of our centers.

Blood disorders are more common than you may think, affecting thousands of people in New Jersey alone each year.

Sickle cell disease also affects a small percentage of people of Hispanic, Latin American, Indian and Mediterranean descent. Each year, nearly 1,200 children in the state of New Jersey are diagnosed with sickle cell disease.

A child cannot outgrow sickle cell disease. In patients with sickle cell disease, blood cells mutate from the normal, round shape into cells shaped like sickles or crescent moons, in a process know as "sickling." These sickled cells become stuck in blood vessels. The result is blocked blood flow and severe pain, as well as damage to organs, muscles, and bones. Early recognition and treatment is extremely important because babies with sickle disease are at risk of developing life-threatening infections and other health problems.

Most children with sickle cell disease feel and look fine most of the time. When they do have medical problems, they can become sick very quickly and with little warning. The State Department of Health now tests all newborns in New Jersey for Sickle Cell disease. Since there is no cure for the disease, most of the medical care involves treating or preventing the problems. One of the most important aspects of caring for these children is educating families about the illness.