June 19th is World Sickle Cell Awareness Day. The international awareness day is observed annually to increase public knowledge and an understanding of sickle cell disease, and the challenges experienced by patients, their families, and caregivers.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates sickle-cell disease affects nearly 100 million people worldwide, and over 300 000 children are born every year with the condition.

Sickle cell disease can occur in all races but is most common in African-Americans and Hispanics.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a group of blood disorders typically inherited from a person’s parents. The most common type is known as sickle cell anemia (SCA). It results in an abnormality in the oxygen-carrying protein hemoglobin found in red blood cells

The History of World Sickle Cell Day

The first modern report of sickle cell disease may have been in 1846, where the autopsy of an executed runaway slave was discussed. In 2006, the World Health Organization and in 2008, the United Nations recognized sickle cell disease and marked June 19 as World Sickle Cell Awareness Day.