Family with a Sickle Warrior

A basic map of the world showing the presence of thalassaemias and sickle cell anaemia (haemoglobinopathies). Though we should note from existing anecdotal evidence, that Australia has a far greater prevalence of haemoglobinopathies than is actually depicted in the map.

June 20th is World Sickle Cell Day. And as a means to illustrate to the public what happens we have some useful diagrams and pics that show what sickled red blood cell looks like, and what damage it can do.

When arteries are blocked up with sickled red blood cells it causes immense pain to the patient and is called a sickle crisis. One of the things that can occur is the sickled red blood cells begin tearing at the walls of arteries, causing damage that can affect patients more severely in the longer term.

Sickle cell disease occurrences in African Americans, Hispanic Americans and Caucasians in the United States.

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