Sickle Cell Trait: Benign or Not? What You Don't Know CAN Hurt You!

Having a child with sickle cell disease is not the only risk factor for those who are sickle cell trait carriers! Join SickleCellMN and Dr. Tomia Austin, co-founder of The As One Foundation, as Dr. Austin walks us through the potential risks associated with being a trait carrier. At the conclusion participants should: • Be able to relate to first-hand accounts of sickle cell trait symptoms that challenge the general asymptomatic and benign characterization. · Be exposed to research findings about sickle cell trait correlations to other health issues. • Be introduced to potential solutions to sickle cell trait knowledge gaps. • Be able to identify the role of the sickle cell trait and non sickle cell ally to closing associated knowledge gaps and disparity. • Be able to expand their sickle cell conversation, knowledge and experience related to sickle cell trait. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tomia Austin, DrPH, a behavioral scientist, health educator and researcher is also the Executive Director of the As One Foundation, established with a mission to help empower youth to unlock & unleash their full potential through athletics, education & spiritual enrichment. Since the foundation was also established to honor the memory of the founder’s late brother who died of sickle cell trait exertion, Dr. Austin authored a program, Operation Hydration, to bring awareness to sickle cell trait and promote hydration as prevention of its adverse health effects such as exertional sickling. Under Dr. Austin’s leadership, a new mission to empower families globally, delivering life-saving sickle cell education now describes the organization’s intentional provision of comprehensive sickle cell trait and sickle cell disease educational tools, curriculum, events & programming. As a telecommuter to Metro Houston, TX in her executive role, she makes her home in Atlanta with her husband, Douglas. ------------------------- Did you know that individuals with SCD need life saving blood transfusions throughout their lives? Did you know that there is a PROFOUND shortage of blood donors, especially in communities of color! One of the easiest and fastest ways to help #SaveLives is to #DonateBlood. Make an appointment to save a life! www.redcross.org and www.mbc.org. Did you know that YOU may be able to help cure sickle cell disease by donating your stem cells! Visit www.bethematch.org to learn more and join the #BeTheMatch #MarrowDonorRegistry! ------------------------- Our Work Sickle Cell Disease Foundation of Minnesota’s mission is to improve quality of life and increase access to knowledgeable and compassionate care for individuals and communities affected by sickle cell disease. Learn more about us at www.sicklecellmn.org