Sickle Cell Anemia, the History Behind the Disease
Posted on: Thursday, 7 September 2006, 15:00 CDT
CHICAGO, Sept. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Each year approximately 1,000 American babies are born with Sickle Cell Anemia. Of those 1,000, one in five hundred African-American births is affected versus one in every 58,140 Caucasian births. On Saturday, September 9th at 10:00 AM the DuSable Museum of African American History, The University of Chicago Hospitals and The Sickle Cell Disease Association of Illinois will present a free program focused on the migration and evolution of the disease, daily coping mechanisms and current research.
September is National Sickle Cell Disease Month, a disease that affects eight in 100,000 people. Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder that affects red blood cells. Those with sickle cell disease have red blood cells that contain mostly hemoglobin S, an abnormal type of hemoglobin which can sometimes cause cells to become sickle-shaped (crescent shaped). This change in shape can make it difficult for them to pass through small blood vessels and decrease the blood flow. Tissue that does not receive sufficient blood flow eventually becomes damaged. There is currently no universal cure for the disease.
This special interactive morning health program provides a unique look at the history of the disease and an opportunity for those coping with the disease and their families to have their questions answered by medical and health care leaders. Presenters will include Dr. Uma Subramanian Srinivasan, Director, Pediatric Sickle Cell Program at LaRabida Children's Hospital and Dr. William A. McDade, Associate Professor of Anesthesia and Critical Care at the University of Chicago Hospitals.
Uma Subramanian Srinivasan, MD. Assistant Professor of Pediatrics Director, Pediatric Sickle Cell Program
A respected authority on sickle cell disease, Dr. Uma Srinivasan is an expert in the care and treatment of patients with all types of blood disorders. She is especially interested in the diagnosis and treatment of sickling hemoglobinopathies. Dr. Srinivasan believes that the successful treatment of children with sickling hemoglobinopathies require a combination of thorough testing, accurate diagnosis and the most current medical treatment available. However, medical treatment alone is not enough. Dr. Srinivasan also believes that family education and support must be high-quality and ongoing if treatment of these children is to be successful.
William A. McDade, MD Associate Professor of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Associate Dean for Multicultural Affairs University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine
Dr. William McDade's research interest is focused on the molecular aspects of Sickle Cell Disease and his clinical work is in obstetrical and pediatric anesthesiology. He will soon begin a Phase 2 Clinical Trial on the use of nitric oxide for Sickle Cell pain episodes at the University of Chicago. Dr. McDade's interest in medial education involves the manpower shortage of minority physicians and the teaching of culturally competent medical care.
This program which is FREE and open to the general public is being presented in conjunction with the University of Chicago Hospitals and the Sickle Cell Disease Association of Illinois. Additional support is provided by the Chicago Park District, United Airlines, and Clear Channel Radio. For a complete program schedule, please visit http://www.dusablemuseum.org/ or call 773-947-0600.
The DuSable Museum of African American History is located at 740 East 56th Place in Chicago's Washington Park. Limited free parking is available on the premises and the DuSable Museum is accessible by CTA routes, # 3, #4 and #55.
The DuSable Museum of African American History, one of the oldest institutions of its kind in the country, has been dedicated to the collection, preservation, interpretation and dissemination of the history and culture of Africans and Americans of African descent for 45 years. For more information on the Museum and its programs, please call (773) 947-0600 or you may visit our website at http://www.dusablemuseum.org/ .
DuSable Museum of African American History
CONTACT: Raymond Ward, DuSable Museum of African American History,+1-773-947-0600, ext 228
Web site: http://www.dusablemuseum.org/
Source: PRNewswire
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