What is Sickle Cell ?

The underlying cause of Darryl's need for a kidney is his sickle cell disease.  What is sickle cell?  It's an inherited blood disease that can cause the red blood cells to lose oxygen.  During a "crisis," they harden and become sickle shaped instead of their normal, spongy donut (or bialy) shapes.  Our organs rely on oxygen being brought by the blood.   So this lack of oxygen is extremely painful, and can cause organ damage. 

Because it is found mostly in countries where malaria is common, it is seen to be a genetic mutation or adaptation to protect from malaria.  It is the most common genetic blood disease, affecting about 1 in every 500 African Americans.  But not only African Americans -people all over the world have sickle cell.

Here are some websites that explain sickle cell pretty well:

NIH Sickle Cell Anemia

Center for Disease Control


A few days ago, WNYC-FM ran a program by Radio Rookie Bree Person called Sickle and Me. She's a teenager who describes what it is like to live with sickle cell. 

Darryl is lucky in many ways.  Luckily, he hasn't had a major crisis since he started dialysis. He is very careful to eat well, get rest, and to stay warm.  And he relieves stress by writing and exercising.  He is living well.