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This hour on Where We Live, we hear from sickle cell disease experts at UConn Health and Yale on a successful transfusion therapy, and ongoing research that promises a full cure following a risk-reduced transplant.

And, we hear from a former pediatric patient, now 21,on her transplant and full cure.

Also, we discuss new drugs, gene therapy, and equitable access to care.

Sickle cell disease is an inherited disorder, causing red blood cells to contort into a sickle shape, resulting in severe bone pain and fatigue. Complications include anemia, blood clots, organ damage, pulmonary hypertension, vision loss, and stroke.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 100,000 Americans are affected, and 1 in every 365 Black or African-American babies is born with sickle cell disease. And, 1 in 13 Black or African-American babies are born with sickle cell trait.

GUESTS: 

Rehana Konate: Student at the University of Connecticut; fully cured of Sickle Cell Disease

Dr. Niketa Shah: Director, Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Program, and Director, Pediatric Cellular Therapy Program, Yale Medicine

Teresa Works: Sickle Cell Social Worker, UConn Health

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