Every month, Kurly Klips aims to donate to organizations that help the Black community. This month, we're donating to Sickle Cell Disease Association of America.
Tell me more about SCDAA!
On May 16th, The New York Times published the stories of six people with sickle cell anemia. If you click on the story, you’ll notice one common trait: they’re all Black. That’s because sickle cell disease largely impacts African Americans babies. According to the NIH, 1-13 babies are born with the trait and 1 in 365 are born with the disease. It’s an inherited condition: one that causes severe pain, organ failure, stroke, amongst other complications.
So what is sickle cell disease? It’s basically when your red blood cells are a sickle shape. This makes it difficult for them to carry oxygen throughout the body. Cue the pain, fatigue, and organ damage. And while it does impact people of all races, it disproportionately affects African Americans.
Managing this disease can be expensive and proper healthcare is required. Unfortunately, healthcare has often been a luxury in the United States, one that many African Americans have been unable to afford.
To honor World Sickle Cell Day on June 19th, we’re giving to Sickle Cell Disease Association of America. Read more about what they do here.
And if anyone has a story to share, please do so in the comments. Perhaps it will put a human face to the disease and encourage others to give.
Your Sister in Beauty,
Lana