Living With Sickle Cell: A Guide for Partners, Parents & Friends

Hi there!

Sickle Cell isn’t a life sentence and with the right care, information, and support, individuals and families can thrive. And so can the people around them.

Sharon’s Story: A Lesson Too Late

When Sharon’s younger brother, David, was born, the family rejoiced. But by age 3, he was always in and out of the hospital. They didn’t have a name for it then, just "body pain" or "convulsion." It wasn’t until he was 6 that a doctor mentioned Sickle Cell Disease. By then, he’d already lost vision in one eye during a severe crisis. Their parents, unaware they were both AS, had never done a genotype test.

Sharon now tells everyone she meets: “Don’t wait until a child is suffering to know your genotype. Don’t wait until it’s your family.”

Understanding the Condition

To understand sickle cell, think of your red blood cells as the vehicles that carry oxygen all around your body. In a healthy person, these cells are round and flexible, allowing them to move freely through blood vessels. But in someone with sickle cell disease, these cells become hard, sticky, and shaped like a crescent moon or a sickle which is the tool farmers use.

These misshapen cells don’t flow as smoothly. Instead, they can stick together and block blood flow, causing painful episodes known as crises. Over time, this blockage can damage organs and tissues because they aren’t getting enough oxygen.

For many patients, these symptoms don’t show every day — they come and go, making it easy to overlook the seriousness of the condition. But sickle cell is a lifelong challenge, and managing it means staying alert even when things seem fine.

Everyday Triggers to Watch For

• Cold weather

• Dehydration

• Stress

• Intense physical activity

• Infections

How You Can Help, As a Parent, Partner or Friend

Living with sickle cell takes a village. Here’s how you can be part of that support system:

1. Encourage Nutrition That Heals: Serve iron-rich, folate-heavy meals: ugwu, okra, beans, liver, oranges, pawpaw. Hydration is key, always have clean water nearby and avoid fizzy drinks and processed food

2. Support Gentle, Regular Activity: Walks, yoga, dancing but not too much, just enough. Help them know when to rest

3. Protect Them from Crisis Triggers: Keep them warm during harmattan, Help them avoid stress and overexertion, Be their reminder for medications and clinic visits

4. Know the Facts: Sickle cell and other types can be equally dangerous. Sickle cell is a lifelong condition. With good care, people with sickle cell can have children. It’s a genetic condition and not a spiritual problem.

The Power of Early Testing

Don’t wait until symptoms show up, by then, the damage may already be done. Whether it’s knowing your genotype, checking your child, or scheduling routine screenings, awareness now can save a life later. LECC offers:

• Genotype Testing

• Full Hematology Screening

• Crisis Management

• Family Counseling & Care Plans

Don’t Wait! Whether you’re living with sickle cell or love someone who is, early action can mean fewer crises, better health, and a stronger tomorrow. Book a hematology consultation at Lagos Executive Cardiovascular Centre today.

📞 Call Us: +234 817 365 1737

📩 Email: [email protected] 

Warm regards,

The LECC Team