DO YOU HAVE A STUDENT WITH SICKLE CELL ANEMIA?

If you work in a school with students that have diverse backgrounds, chances are you may have a few students with Sickle Cell Anemia in your school.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are 70,000 to 100,000 Americans affected by this incurable disease in the United States and Millions affected globally.  It is said that 1 out of every 500 African Americans are born with this disease along with 1 out of every 36,000 Hispanics. What happens? Sickle cells block the flow of blood through vessels resulting in pain episodes affecting the arms, legs, chest and abdomen. This is only a few issues that may be observed in the classroom setting. PLEASE NOTE:  Students with Sickle Cell need to stay hydrated and in turn may have to use the restroom often.  Cold weather may trigger a crisis so outside time in inclement weather should be avoided or kept to the minimum. These cautions may differ with each case. To learn more about Sickle Cell please visit 

http://www.sicklecelldisease.org

or 

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/sca/  

or

http://www.ffsicklecellfoundation.com/Home_Page.html