Hey Folks, 

I hope you are all well.

This year I am taking part in Hackney Half 2021. 

As some of you will know, I took part in the Hackney Half marathon in 2015 to not only challenge myself but to also raise money for the Sickle Cell Society.

In 2007 my sister gave birth to my beautiful nephew, who recently turned 14.

As she was preparing to leave the hospital, she was informed that her baby had Sickle Cell. As you can imagine, this heartbreaking news was a total shock to my sister.

It has been difficult to know what to do and the best way to support her and my nephew, who has been in hospital for blood transfusions more times than I can count. 

If you do not know, Sickle Cell is a blood disorder of the Haemoglobin in the red blood cells. 

Hemoglobin in red blood cells is responsible for carrying oxygen around the body. 

People born with Sickle Cell Disorder experience episode of severe pain, which is caused by the sickle shaped cells of the blood that sticks together, causing blockages in the small blood vessels. 

These painful episodes are referred to as sickle cell crisis. They are treated with strong painkillers such as morphine to control the pain. People with sickle cell are at risk of complications stroke, acute chest syndrome, blindness, bone damage, and priapism (a persistent, painful erection of the penis).

Over time people with sickle cell can experience damage to organs such as the liver, kidney, lungs, heart, and spleen. Death can also result from complications of the disorder. Treatment of sickle cell mostly focuses on preventing and treating complications.

The only possible cure for the disorder is a bone marrow transplant but this is only possible for a limited number of affected individuals who have a suitable donor. A medicine called Hydroxyurea can significantly reduce the number of painful crises.