Sickle Cell Trait

WHAT IS SICKLE CELL TRAIT?

People have sickle cell trait when they inherit a copy of the sickle cell gene from one parent and a copy of the gene for normal hemoglobin, called hemoglobin A, from the other. People who have sickle cell trait make about 60 percent normal hemoglobin (hemoglobin A), and about 40 percent sickle hemoglobin (hemoglobin S). They may be called carriers because they can pass on the gene for sickle hemoglobin when they have children.

Healthy Living With Sickle Cell Disease

If you have sickle cell disease (SCD), you can live a full life and enjoy the things that most other people do. Follow these tips to support your mental and physical health, manage your condition, and stay as healthy as possible.

Adopt a Healthy Lifestyle

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important for overall well-being and managing SCD.

• Be physically active

• Choose heart-healthy foods

• Drink 8–10 glasses of water daily

• Limit alcohol

• Quit smoking or vaping

• Wash hands often to help prevent infections

• Take care of your mental health

• Aim for 7–9 hours of sleep each night

The Hackney Engagement Project exists to help improve the quality of life of individuals and families affected by sickle cell, living in and around the London Borough of Hackney.

If you live in the London Borough of Hackney or the surrounding areas, and would like support dealing with areas of your life affects by sickle cell then please get in touch by contacting the Engagement Project Officer, Layla Lawson on: layla.lawson@sicklecellsociety.org