September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month – a time to recognize the strength of those living with sickle cell disease and to raise awareness about the critical role blood donations play in their care.

As a nurse, I’ve seen firsthand the urgency and heartbreak of a sickle cell crisis. I’ve cared for children in excruciating pain, young adults struggling to breathe and parents desperate for relief for their loved ones. I’ve seen and will never forget their pain, their fatigue and their quiet strength.

Sickle cell disease is a genetic blood disorder that causes red blood cells to become misshapen and rigid. These cells die early, leaving a shortage of healthy red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout the body. The sickle-shaped cells block blood flow and lead to severe pain, organ damage

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