It's a disease that many people don't know much about and one local community center wants to change that.
The West Central Ohio Sickle Cell Coalition will be holding an informational program at the Bradfield Community Center. Sickle cell disease is a blood disorder that is hereditary. It affects red blood cells deforming them into a sickle shape causing them to get clogged decreasing the amount of oxygen your body needs. In the United States, approximately 90,000 individuals have sickle cell disease and 2-million carry the sickle cell trait. While more prominent in African Americans, the genetic disease has been diagnosed in people from all races. Doctors, vendors, and families dealing with the disease will be available to talk with.
"We want anyone who wants to learn more about the disease, just wants to get educated, to come out. Like we mentioned, not just one race this disease affects, so I think that's one of the reasons why multiple people of different races need to come out, get educated, and learn more about the disease," said Kesha Drake, Executive Director of the Bradfield Community Center.
The event is this Saturday, September 7th from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Bradfield Community Center located at 550 S Collett St, Lima, OH 45805. It's free and open to the public. September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month.
