DONATE

A lot of Life to Live

Tahirah's Story

Striving Through Chronic Kidney Failure
Watch Now

Celebrating Sickle Cell Awareness Month 2022

Kyle's Story

Surviving Acute Multiple Organ Failure Syndrome
Watch Now

Feel like you’re navigating this disease alone?

We’re here for you

Crescent Cares provides support to
individuals with SCD.
Learn more

Join us at red cross house for our 2nd annual

blue tag blood drive

Be a Part of the Change!
Register today

MARAC statement

Covid-19 vaccines

MARAC recommends that people with sickle cell disease receive COVID-19 vaccination.
read more

Meet the Co-Founders &

join the movement

Become a STRIVER today!
Learn more

What is Sickle Cell Disease?

UNDERSTAND SCD - THEN AND NOW

Sickle cell disease is the most common inherited blood condition.
read more
Education

Understanding Sickle Cell Disease

Sickle cell disease is the most common inherited blood condition. It affects red blood cells, which are responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body via a protein called hemoglobin.

In people with sickle cell disease, a hemoglobin mutation causes red blood cells to lose oxygen. When red blood cells become deoxygenated, they become rigid and sickle shaped. This causes them to clump together, instead of flowing freely through small blood vessels. This can cause pain crises when oxygen doesn’t reach bone or muscles, or acute chest syndrome and stroke when oxygen doesn’t reach lung and brain tissue.

Learn More About SCD
For those with sickle cell disease (SCD), living a full life is not only possible, it’s within reach. A foundation of healthy habits—whether it’s a well-balanced diet or introducing exercise into your routine—can help to better support your journey with sickle cell. Pair that with quality medical care, and you’re on your way to living an empowered life where you don’t just survive—you thrive.
Sickle Cell Trait (SCT) is not a disease. It means you’ve inherited the sickle cell gene from one of your parents, making you a “carrier.” Although you may not show symptoms of sickle cell disease (SCD), it’s important to determine your status with a simple blood test. From there, think about how having SCT affects you and how SCD can run in your family. Consult your doctor and/or a genetic counselor to discuss your family history and future. When you take these necessary steps, you are key in helping change the trajectory of the SCT community at large.
Treating those with sickle cell disease (SCD) requires a combination of skills. From addressing patient concerns with compassion and urgency to managing symptoms with a personalized treatment program, you are a key figure in the life of a patient with SCD. Often, children and adults with SCD rely on emergency rooms during pain crises. For many, this is unfortunately their only option for healthcare, especially when a patient has no access to a provider who specializes in SCD. You can change that.
Caring for a loved one with sickle cell disease (SCD) is both admirable and taxing. You are likely shouldering financial obligations and providing emotional support at a moment’s notice. Because of this immense dedication, caregivers like you are at risk of feeling isolated and all-consumed. But, know that you are not alone in this journey. Reach out to your provider to discuss ways you can cope or find support within an online group for caregivers.
You play a vital role in the life of a student with sickle cell disease (SCD). In order to support students with SCD, it’s important to educate yourself on the background of the disease. Taking the time to understand SCD overall can help you provide the best academic outcome for your students. For example, students with SCD need access to water throughout the school day to help prevent pain episodes, which also means they’ll need frequent bathrooms breaks. These small accommodations can make a world of difference for a child with SCD. To learn more about how you can help, take a look at.
Supporters like you are needed to make systemic changes in the way the world views and treats the sickle cell disease (SCD) community. Simply pledging support is not enough. Authentic allyship that starts with equity, equality and justice, is a lifelong commitment and requires you to step outside your comfort zone to amplify the voices of our community. Advocating for the SCD community can take many forms—whether that’s donating, educating, or volunteering. Find your lane and occupy it. #sicklecellmatters
Education

Understanding Sickle Cell Disease

Sickle cell disease is the most common inherited blood condition. It affects red blood cells, which are responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body via a protein called hemoglobin.

In people with sickle cell disease, a hemoglobin mutation causes red blood cells to lose oxygen. When red blood cells become deoxygenated, they become rigid and sickle shaped. This causes them to clump together, instead of flowing freely through small blood vessels. This can cause pain crises when oxygen doesn’t reach bone or muscles, or acute chest syndrome and stroke when oxygen doesn’t reach lung and brain tissue.

Learn More About SCD
For those with sickle cell disease (SCD), living a full life is not only possible, it’s within reach. A foundation of healthy habits—whether it’s a well-balanced diet or introducing exercise into your routine—can help to better support your journey with sickle cell. Pair that with quality medical care, and you’re on your way to living an empowered life where you don’t just survive—you thrive.
Sickle Cell Trait (SCT) is not a disease. It means you’ve inherited the sickle cell gene from one of your parents, making you a “carrier.” Although you may not show symptoms of sickle cell disease (SCD), it’s important to determine your status with a simple blood test. From there, think about how having SCT affects you and how SCD can run in your family. Consult your doctor and/or a genetic counselor to discuss your family history and future. When you take these necessary steps, you are key in helping change the trajectory of the SCT community at large.
Treating those with sickle cell disease (SCD) requires a combination of skills. From addressing patient concerns with compassion and urgency to managing symptoms with a personalized treatment program, you are a key figure in the life of a patient with SCD. Often, children and adults with SCD rely on emergency rooms during pain crises. For many, this is unfortunately their only option for healthcare, especially when a patient has no access to a provider who specializes in SCD. You can change that.
Caring for a loved one with sickle cell disease (SCD) is both admirable and taxing. You are likely shouldering financial obligations and providing emotional support at a moment’s notice. Because of this immense dedication, caregivers like you are at risk of feeling isolated and all-consumed. But, know that you are not alone in this journey. Reach out to your provider to discuss ways you can cope or find support within an online group for caregivers.
You play a vital role in the life of a student with sickle cell disease (SCD). In order to support students with SCD, it’s important to educate yourself on the background of the disease. Taking the time to understand SCD overall can help you provide the best academic outcome for your students. For example, students with SCD need access to water throughout the school day to help prevent pain episodes, which also means they’ll need frequent bathrooms breaks. These small accommodations can make a world of difference for a child with SCD. To learn more about how you can help, take a look at.
Supporters like you are needed to make systemic changes in the way the world views and treats the sickle cell disease (SCD) community. Simply pledging support is not enough. Authentic allyship that starts with equity, equality and justice, is a lifelong commitment and requires you to step outside your comfort zone to amplify the voices of our community. Advocating for the SCD community can take many forms—whether that’s donating, educating, or volunteering. Find your lane and occupy it. #sicklecellmatters

Our Initiatives

What We're Doing

Webinar Series

BRIDGING THE GAP

Transitioning from pediatric to adult healthcare can be a challenging and frustrating process. We offer a free hour-long webinar that highlights healthcare transition topics for SCD patients between the ages of 18-24. Topics we cover include but aren’t limited to:

  • How to effectively advocate for your needs during clinical visits and hospital stays
  • How to work with health insurance providers
  • How to create and reach health and wellness goals
  • How to address your healthcare needs at work

Participants who’ve successfully completed the webinar series are invited to attend our Transition with Power Party, a yearly event that celebrates SCD patients and their accomplishments. Subscribe to our newsletter to participate in this webinar series.

schedule a session

Medical Provider Program

ONE GENE, ONE LIFE

There’s only so much you can learn from a textbook. Our immersion program is designed to allow medical providers to have real-life conversations with SCD patients – and learn how this disease truly impacts their lives daily. We’re here to empower the next generation in medicine to be more compassionate toward their patients and knowledgeable about our invisible disease.

Subscribe to our mailing list to learn more about this program.

Find out more

Community Health Worker Program

CRESCENT CARES

Crescent Cares provides psychosocial and case management support to individuals with SCD. Our Community Health Workers (CHWs) are community liaisons who support patients and families in better managing their medical and social needs until goals are reached as defined by the individual. This includes making home and community visits in person, virtually or telephonic, connecting families to community resources, and supporting the communication of the individual’s needs with the healthcare team.

find out more

Health Education Program

Stay informed

Our Stay Informed program is our health education and health promotion programming for individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) and the public; through webinars, in-person workshops, and case management services. In collaboration with SCD experts (healthcare & constituents), school & faith-based organizations and supporters we successfully facilitate educational forums.

schedule a session

Donate

Support the mission

Crescent Cares

Your donation supports the growth and development or our Crescent Cares Program that provides direct community-based services and care coordination for survivors living with sickle cell disease in the Philadelphia & Delaware Valley. We appreciate your support!

DONATE NOW

Bridging The Gap

Transitioning from pediatric to adult healthcare facilities can be a challenging process for people with SCD. On a weekly basis, Crescent offers hour-long webinars on key topics of interest to patients transitioning between the ages 18-24. The goal is to teach patients how to smoothly transition to, and navigate through, the adult care system. Thanks for your support!

DONATE NOW

One Gene One Life

Your donations helps us fund our programming to empower the next generation of physicians to be more compassionate toward their patients and knowledgeable about our invisible disease.

DONATE NOW

Founders

Our Team

Kyle A. Smith

Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer

Tahirah Austin-Muhammad

Co-Founder, Chief Program Officer

Ediomi Utuk-Lowery

Co-Founder
View our team

Raw & Honest Moments

Discover our stories

view more stories
 crossmenu