Sickle Cell in Northeast Louisiana
By: Cynthia Milledge
Updated: February 16, 2010
It's a blood disorder that affects more than 400 people in Northeast Louisiana alone. All of them either carry the sickle cell trait or suffer from the disease.
Marvin Moore inherited a condition from his mother and father that causes him severe pain.
Marvin says, "Sometimes everything hurts. Sometimes just your arms, or your legs. It feels like a door smashing you."
Yet, the 13 year old still sees the glass as half full when it comes to battling sickle cell disease.
He refuses to let the illness ruin his life.
Marvin says, "just knowing other people have diseases worse than mine."
Marvin is not fighting this battle alone.
His 19 year old sister, Jasmine, has the blood disorder too.
Marvin's Mother, Kathy Caldwell, asks, "It hurts to know, I can't stop the pain."
Caldwell and the children's father both carry the sickle cell trait.
They didn't know this until Jasmine was born.
Caldwell says, "I think I was in denial when they told me that and started explaining how the illness would progress."
Jasmine and Marvin are among the 438 people in Northeast Louisiana living life with either the sickle cell trait or illness.
Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation social worker, Cheryl Minor says, "Sickle cell disease is very much prevalent in Northeast Louisiana."
This is Minor's 10th year working with families affected by the condition that causes bouts of severe pain, organ damage, and sometimes limits life expectancy.
Minor says, "There is a cure, it consists of a bone marrow transplant. It's not universal, because you have to have a compatible donor, usually that consists of a sibling."
Research shows if both parents carry the trait the baby has a 25 percent chance of being born with the disease.
If one parent has the trait and the other has the disease.
The child has a 50 percent chance of having the disease.
Caldwell says, "It's time for a cure. I just have to believe one day really soon, there's gonna be one. Not just for my kids but it will be readily available for everyone who needs it."
Until then Caldwell encourages her children not to use sickle cell as a crutch.
It's tough considering Marvin will have to be home schooled as he deals with severe shoulder aches.
His sister just had surgery but will return to Grambling State University Thursday to pursue a degree in nursing.
Both say giving up on their dreams is not an option.
Studies show Hispanics are currently the largest population with sickle cell disease.
Marvin Moore inherited a condition from his mother and father that causes him severe pain.
Marvin says, "Sometimes everything hurts. Sometimes just your arms, or your legs. It feels like a door smashing you."
Yet, the 13 year old still sees the glass as half full when it comes to battling sickle cell disease.
He refuses to let the illness ruin his life.
Marvin says, "just knowing other people have diseases worse than mine."
Marvin is not fighting this battle alone.
His 19 year old sister, Jasmine, has the blood disorder too.
Marvin's Mother, Kathy Caldwell, asks, "It hurts to know, I can't stop the pain."
Caldwell and the children's father both carry the sickle cell trait.
They didn't know this until Jasmine was born.
Caldwell says, "I think I was in denial when they told me that and started explaining how the illness would progress."
Jasmine and Marvin are among the 438 people in Northeast Louisiana living life with either the sickle cell trait or illness.
Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation social worker, Cheryl Minor says, "Sickle cell disease is very much prevalent in Northeast Louisiana."
This is Minor's 10th year working with families affected by the condition that causes bouts of severe pain, organ damage, and sometimes limits life expectancy.
Minor says, "There is a cure, it consists of a bone marrow transplant. It's not universal, because you have to have a compatible donor, usually that consists of a sibling."
Research shows if both parents carry the trait the baby has a 25 percent chance of being born with the disease.
If one parent has the trait and the other has the disease.
The child has a 50 percent chance of having the disease.
Caldwell says, "It's time for a cure. I just have to believe one day really soon, there's gonna be one. Not just for my kids but it will be readily available for everyone who needs it."
Until then Caldwell encourages her children not to use sickle cell as a crutch.
It's tough considering Marvin will have to be home schooled as he deals with severe shoulder aches.
His sister just had surgery but will return to Grambling State University Thursday to pursue a degree in nursing.
Both say giving up on their dreams is not an option.
Studies show Hispanics are currently the largest population with sickle cell disease.
