For people with sickle cell disease (SCD), ongoing blood transfusions are a common part of managing their health. Over time, these transfusions can lead to iron overload, which, together with the effects of SCD itself, can damage organs such as the liver and kidneys. As a result, many individuals with SCD face an increased risk of developing chronic liver or kidney disease. In some cases, organ transplantation becomes a necessary treatment option.

Dr. Franklin Njoku, a physician in the Comprehensive Sickle Cell Program at UI Health, addressed concerns about transplant safety for this patient group: “These transplants are as safe and effective for sickle cell patients as they are for anyone else,” said Dr. Njoku. “The key is having a team of experts who understand SCD, who can identify the

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