Saturday, July 18, 2009

Oldest Person with Sickle Cell is 83

[NAME REDACTED BY REQUEST] is an eighty-two year old woman who may be one of the oldest American living with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). She is an advocate of the disease which affects millions throughout the world and is particularly common among people with ancestors in sub-Saharan Africa, Saudi Arabia, India and Mediterranean countries such as Turkey, Greece, and Italy and Spanish-speaking regions of South America, Cuba and Central America.

In the United States, Sickle Cell Disease affects more than seventy-two thousand people and about two million Americans carry the trait for SCD, a life threatening disease that creates unimaginable pain and suffering. Support is probably the most important factor in the life of the patient.

S.C.A.T.T. (Sickle Cell Action Through Technology) is geared towards helping to supplement the needs of patients who find themselves facing insurmountable health as well as financial challenges. Patients from around the country call for advice, or a word of encouragement.

Guess you'll live to be an Octogenarian too!


7 comments:

Rita said...

This is very encouraging...at least there is hope

Anonymous said...

I am a fourty two year old woman with sickle cell anemia. I was curious as to the longevity of life I might expect to live, and so I googled and was encouraged to encounter this article chronicling the life of an eighty two year old woman with my illness. I don't believe that any MAN can tell us how long we'll live, only GOD has the paperwork on this;however,what drives me more even that the likely hood of longevity is what we do with the time we've been given. I've choosen to complete H.S., attend a major university, obtain a dual degree, complete post secondary education and obtain an M.B.A and am raising a fine young black male child of my own. I don't write this to toot my own horn, but to give other curious minded individuals hope. Hope for our futures, WE DO HAVE ONE!

Orpe said...

Ha! Thank God. At last i find a sickle cell patient who said she gave birth. I have a sickle cell baby and each time i ask her doctor about her having kids, all she say is that it is complicated, preterm baby due to inadequate oxygen and hemoglobin. My heart pounded and i quit asking her about my child having a baby. My child has been a motivation rather than an oppresor. She is the reason why i get closer to God and keep aiming higher in my academics. I know with the grace of God and with my wealth in future, my child will also achieve what a normal blood patient will achieve. Thank you for this info.

Anonymous said...

I am 33 years old and i have 2 kids. Temptted to have a 3rd but told not to(DOctors)

I know God will help me live long enough to see my Grand CHildren and great Grand Children. So @ Orpe, dont be scared, your child will make you a proud grand mama one day. Just believe.

Anonymous said...

Man made diease,why dont give us the cure,cuz we created it,god bless us.

Anonymous said...

I am 33 with five kids GOD says yes man says no ill take GOD over man any day!!!

Unknown said...

To the woman that has 5 children do I have sickle cell and may I ask what age were you when you gave birth to your 5th child ? Was it hard? I have 3 I'm 36 and want another child but not sure if I should