Prairie View A&M University is making some major strides to help students who struggle with sickle cell disease. The Texas HBCU launched the Student Sickle Cell Warrior Project, an innovative project aimed at helping support college students who have Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). The first of its kind program officially launched on September 15.

Sickle cell anemia is a life-threatening genetic condition that affects your red blood cells. According to the CDC, SCD affects approximately 100,000 people in the United States. Black people make up more than 90% of sickle cell cases. The life expectancy of someone with SCD in the United States decreased by 20 years from the average expected.

According to Healthline, Black people are at a much higher risk for mutations in the gene that causes SCD. Based on research conducted, scientists believe that this is due to how the disease has evolved. Due to disparities within the healthcare system, Black people with SCD are 22% less likely than white people to receive necessary treatment.

Symptoms of sickle cell often include:

·      extreme fatigue or fussiness (in babies) caused by anemia

·      yellowing of the skin (jaundice)

·      painful swelling of the hands and feet (dactylitis)

·      frequent infections

The Student Sickle Cell Warrior Project strives to help ease the burden of students with sickle cell as they navigate college life. Students who attend Prairie View A&M will be able to receive specialized treatment at the Texas Children’s Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, or UT Houston. Additionally, the Sickle Cell Association of Texas Marc Foundation in Austin, Texas, will also support students through this effort.

“This is a great opportunity for Prairie View to help establish a model of support for college students nationwide who have been diagnosed with sickle cell disease,” said Dr. Tondra L. Moore, executive director of Health Services at PVAMU.

Due to Dr. Moore’s significant work with the American Health Association, Prairie View A&M was chosen as the pilot site for this program. With Dr. Moore’s work and the Sickle Cell Warrior Project, Prairie View A&M continues to be an innovator in the field of student health.