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Sickle cell anemia advocates walk to raise awareness
Advocates for those affected with sickle cell disease took to the city streets yesterday. Despite the
Sickle Cell advocates during the awareness walk.
inclement weather, about 50 persons participated in the awareness walk which was held in commemoration of World Sickle Cell Day (June 19).
Sickle Cell is an inherited non-communicable disease. Of the types, the most common and severe is sickle cell anaemia.
According to a health report, persons who have this illness often suffer from painful swelling of the hands and feet, infection and anaemia. It can cause episodes of pain in the bones, joints, abdomen and other parts of the body.
“Other difficulties may include problems in the spleen, jaundice, strokes, leg ulcers, blood in the urine, eye, chest, hip and shoulder complaints and delay in growth.” There is no cure for sickle cell disorders.
Yesterday’s event was hosted by the Guyana Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Association.
It began at 6:35 hours and ended around 7:30 hours yesterday. The awareness walk started and ended at the Guyana Nurses Association building on Charlotte and Alexander Streets, Georgetown.
Holding a banner which highlighted the need for sickle cell awareness as well as issues affecting those battling the deadly disease, participants walked along Alexander Street, North Road, Avenue of the Republic, Brickdam, United Nations Place, Croal Street and then back to the starting point.
During the walk, leaflets on “What you need to know about sickle cell disorder” were distributed along the route.
Vice President of the Association, Grace Bond, said that the purpose of the walk was not only to raise sickle cell awareness but also to encourage those affected to join the organisation.
Bond, a retired nurse, said it was an effort to invite persons who are not affected to come on board and support.
She told Kaieteur News that the association is also advocating for better treatment of those affected with sickle cell anemia who often complain that they would visit public health facilities and have to wait for hours before they can be attended.
The Vice President said that the association is also attempting to “break the cycle.” She said that there some persons are ‘traits’ – silent carriers who rarely suffer any features of the disease.
She said if two such persons have children together, there is a one in four chance or 25% risk that a child will be born with the full blown disease.
Bond, who is also a professional nurse, claimed that if tested, persons can take steps to prevent their children from having it.
“Tests are currently being done at the Eureka Medical Laboratory but it is costly,” she said.
She expressed hope for the Ministry of Health to place efforts into making the special type of testing for traits available at public hospitals.
Participants included models and members of the Sonia Noel Foundation for the Creative Arts, members of the St. John’s Ambulance Brigade, Periwinkle Club, Guyana Sickle Cell Association, Guyana Nurses Association and other supporters.
Since June 12 the Association has been hosting several sensitization activities to commemorate World Sickle Cell Day. Activities culminated last evening with a Fashion Show at the Pegasus Hotel.
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