July is Sickle Cell awareness month and the Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Service, hosted by Nottingham City Primary Care Trust (PCT), will be working to ensure that local people who may be affected are well informed about the condition. Sickle Cell is a condition which affects red blood cells and means they can’t travel round the blood system as easily. Symptoms include severe pain in the arms, legs, back and abdomen, increased vulnerability to infection, occasional bouts of weakness, tiredness, shortness of breath and jaundice and damage to bones, hips and vital organs.
The condition is genetic and inherited from both parents. It is found mainly in people whose families come from Africa, the Caribbean, the Middle East and India. However, people from all ethnic origins can be carriers. Events throughout the month include a variety of dedicated programmes each Wednesday between 10am and 1pm on the Health and Wellbeing Show on Kemet 97.5FM. Each week the programmes will have a different focus ranging from how Sickle Cell affects adults and parents, to children and young people. There will also be information about antenatal and newborn screening and how the voluntary sector can support people with Sickle Cell.
A Caribbean Food Tasting Event will be held on Sunday 27th July at Benson’s Wine Bar on Mansfield Road, Nottingham, to raise money for the Sickle Cell Charitable Fund. The event will run from 12 noon until 6pm and will include musical entertainment as well as loads of delicious Caribbean food.
Tickets can be booked by calling 0115 924 4691 or 07867 616903.
