To mark World Sickle Cell Awareness Day coming up on Saturday 19 June, the Black and Minority Ethnic and Ability Networks is inviting healthcare professionals to join their event welcoming The Sickle Cell Society on Thursday 10 June at 1pm.
Many would have seen the headlines of Richard Okorogheye, a 19-year-old with sickle cell disease that went missing from his home and was sadly found dead two weeks later, and the case of Evan Smith, who died due to the denial of oxygen in hospital whilst going through a sickle cell crisis and rang 999 from his hospital bed for help. Sickle Cell Disease is a serious and lifelong health condition that affects red blood cells, the most serious type is called sickle cell anaemia.
Those with sickle cell disease would have had to shield this past year due to COVID-19. The stories of Richard Okorogheye and Evan Smith have highlighted the need for education in our workplaces and hospitals on how to support those with sickle cell disease.
The webinar on 10 June will give colleagues an overview of sickle cell as a disease, an insight into the lived experience of having this hidden disability, and why it's important for healthcare professionals to support and raise awareness of this hidden disability. There will also be a Q&A session and an opportunity to sign up for the blood donation programme if you are of African/African-Caribbean descent.
If you're interested in attending the webinar, please register using the link below.
