World Sickle Cell Day 2024: The date, theme, background, importance, and essential information
Every year on June 19, people around the world observe World Sickle Cell Day as a way to bring attention to sickle cell disease (SCD). Verify every information inside, from the date to the theme.
Sickle cell disease (SCD), which affects millions of people globally, is still a serious but sometimes disregarded global health issue. Every year, nations all around the world mark World Sickle Cell Day to increase public awareness of this illness. The purpose of this worldwide awareness day is to raise public awareness of sickle cell disease and the difficulties that patients, their families, and caregivers endure. On this day, a number of international and local organizations come together to support initiatives and events aimed at raising awareness of the condition and stressing the value of early detection, efficient care, and preventative measures. To learn more about this day, scroll down to read about its history and date.
2024’s World Sickle Cell Day: Date and Subject
World Sickle Cell Day is commemorated on June 19, which is a Wednesday this year. This year’s commemoration theme is “Hope Through Progress: Advancing Sickle Cell Care Globally.” This topic emphasizes how crucial it is to stand together, raise awareness, and use our combined voices in order to lessen stigma and effect real change for the millions of people who live with sickle cell disease.
World Sickle Cell Day’s past
World Sickle Cell Day, officially recognized by the UN, attempts to increase awareness of sickle cell illness throughout the world. The United Nations General Assembly recognized sickle cell disease as “one of the world’s most important genetic diseases” and as a public health issue in a resolution that was adopted on December 22, 2008. The resolution calls on Member States to raise awareness of sickle cell disease on a national and worldwide level on June 19 of each year.
Meaning of World Sickle Cell Day
World Sickle Cell Day is an important event that educates the public about sickle cell disease (SCD), its symptoms, and the difficulties that patients encounter. Outside of afflicted populations, the condition is often largely obscure. Additionally, it offers a forum for advocacy, empowering patient advocates and SCD organizations to push for better treatment options, more funding for research, and better access to healthcare. By bringing patients, families, medical professionals, and researchers together to celebrate advancements in treatment and research, exchange stories, and offer mutual support, it also fosters a sense of community.
Sickle cell disease: what is it?
A genetic blood condition known as sickle cell disease is brought on by a mutation in the hemoglobin gene, which results in the synthesis of aberrant hemoglobin S. Red blood cells with this morphology become stiff and crescent-shaped, which might block blood flow. Severe pain episodes (sickle cell crises), anemia, exhaustion, hand and foot edema, recurrent infections, and stunted child growth are among the symptoms. The goal of treatment is to control symptoms and avoid consequences. Painkillers, blood transfusions, and hydroxyurea are used to lower the risk of crises. A bone marrow transplant might be curative in extreme circumstances.
