What is Sickle Cell Disease?
Sickle Cell disease is a genetic blood disorder characterized by sickling of the red blood cell instead of the normal agile round/disk red blood cell shape. It is mostly found in people of African and Mediterranean ancestry. Sickle cell disease. The forgotten enemy!
Our Concerns
SICKLE CELL LIVED AND LIVES IN OUR FAMILY Having been blessed with now a nine year old daughter who is a sickle cell disease survivor, we know first hand how daunting and challenging the frequent hospitalizations and clinical visits are. Yet we are blessed that our daughter lives in this part of the world where the best treatment that medicine can offer is available to her.
Our family decided to form UASCRF to raise funds that can be used in the fight against sickle cell in Uganda. We have tried to work hand in hand with the Sickle Cell community in Uganda in helping them build capacity since 2006. As a family we also donated a piece of land at Kawanda, in Uganda near the capital city (Kampala ) that is to be used for the construction of a sickle cell center.
Our Outreach
OUR SICKLE CELL FAMILY IN UGANDA: There are 25,000 children born in Uganda annually with Sickle Cell disease. Over 80% of these children die before they celebrate their fifth birthday. Their only crime is being born in a poor country where per capita income is less than $500! The health-care system is itself grappling with an overwhelming demand of health services with limited resources and poor management. Most often the basics of medical attention are not available to these unfortunate children. Our hearts bleed!!
It is estimated that 20% of Uganda's population have the sickle cell trait. This predisposes a very high incidence of sickle cell disease. Unlike developed countries where sickle cell disease can easily be detected through newborn screening, there is no such programs in Uganda and as such early interventions such as prophylactic administration of penicillin in children until age five are not taken.
The disease is most prevalent in the tribes of Bamba, Basoga, Bagishu, Baganda, and Lugbara. Unfortunately the disease continues to carry a lot of stigma and stereotyping among the population. There is a wide belief that sickle cell disease patients will not survivor teenager-hood. sickle cell sufferers and their families live a life of isolation and fear with poor pain management control methods.
Our Initiative
One of the most recent important developments in the fight against sickle cell in Uganda is the foundation of our local non-profit organization called Uganda Sickle Cell Rescue (USCR) www.ugandasicklecellrescue.com. This organization is very instrumental in hauling sickle cell from the closets to the open where it belongs.
USCR has been able to organize outreaches and seminars in local areas and is planning for future outreaches to several parts of the country. The Uganda-American Sickle Cell Rescue Fund is committed in helping the Uganda Sickle Cell Rescue in the sickle cell fight.
Play Your Part
Do you have a great idea? Do you want to volunteer your time? If you have an idea which you think can make a difference in the furtherance of the sickle cell fight, please do not hesitate to contact us. For those of you living in Uganda and would like to volunteer your time please get in touch with:
MR. CHRIS MUGANGA
The President of Uganda Sickle Cell Rescue
Uganda International Conference Center |
Suite Number 348
Serena Hotel. Kampala,
UGANDA
P.O.BOX 24302 Kampala
|
Fax: +256 312 266 215
Phone: +256-0713500640
Email: ckato@ugandasicklecellrescue.com.
It is time to act now!
