Community Outreach and Education
How is the Center Involved in Community Outreach?
Screening in the community to identify people who are carriers of the sickle gene is an important activity of the Center. Teams are available at no cost to attend health fairs and other similar public activities where information is made available and where persons who so desire can be tested for the presence of the sickle gene. This activity not only promotes awareness of issues in sickle cell disease, but allows people to know whether they might someday pass on the sickle gene to a future generation, allowing them to make informed decisions about having children.
The Center and Education
It is essential for children in school, especially African-American children, since the disease is most common in that ethnic group, to learn about sickle cell disease, what it is, what it means to be an inherited disease and what is being done about it. Center personnel are prepared to visit schools to make age-appropriate educational presentations. Educational programs are available for adult groups also.
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