Sickle Cell Disease Task Force
By: Deedra Wilson
Updated: July 17, 2012
Sickle Cell Anemia is a condition in which there aren't enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen throughout your body.
It can cause a host of health problems and even lead to death.
There are more than 12-hundred people living with Sickle Cell Disease in Arkansas, most of whom are African American.
Now there' s more being done to help those with this disease live healthier lives.
Senator Joyce Elliott, says a Sickle Cell Task Force to tackle this disease has sat idle for a few years, but now it's starting back up.
"It's something that affects a large population in our state, and we need to do more to make sure there are supportive services and the medical care they need."
Sickle Cell occurs in one out of every 500 African American births.
And one out of every 36,000 Hispanic births.
