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Show Sickle Cell Screening Clinic To Open Soon i 1 by Tim Funk I ii A sickle cell screening program is being set up in the Jackson School area. The between the Jackson Community School Service Center and the Utah State Sickle Cell Anemia Committee. The Jackson Service Center is a round take on a rather pointed, crescent or sickle shape they are called "sickle cells." Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body. When red blood cells become sickle cells they are very weak and can no longer supply enough oxygen to the body. The more sickle cells in the body the less oxygen it has to function. . If the parts of the body don't receive enough oxygen severe disorders occur in the body's system. Organs such as the liver, kidney, or intestines can swell up and become very painful. A high fever accompanies the pain. Sometimes this condition, known as a "sickle cell crisis" can last for six days. the Eventually cause death "carr complications since there is no known cure for sickle cell disease. Sickle cell is inherited, it is f i J t t i i ? represents the school area residents in seeking different social services needed in their area. The Sickle Cell Anemia Committee was founded when the local need for more awareness about sickle cell anemia and its effects became apparent. The Jackson program is a pilot program. If it is successful other screening programs will be started in Salt Lake City and wherever needed in the state. Chairman of the State Sickle Cell Committee is Dr. Dave Summers of the University of Utah Medical Center. Dr. Summers instructed the first workshop held March 16th at Jackson School to train those in the program about the various aspects of sickle cell. When the workshops are finished those attending will be ready to administer the program in the Jackson area. Dr. Summers stressed the importance high altitudes or underwater sickle cell is scarce healthy person. The Jackson program hopes to identify those with the sickle cell trait or anemia. To do this, there will first be an effort to educate the local Jackson $ f progress since late in 1972. The program is a cooperative venture making the distinction between sickle cell anemia and trait. He emphasized that if someone has the trait it doesn't mean he will have the anemia. The doctor explained that some weakness is possible. Otherwise the trait carrier is a ' in passed on from parent to child A child may inherit from his parents either sickle cell anemia of the sickle cell trait. People with the sickle cell trait for the most part, have completely normal lives. Under extreme conditions such as swimming where oxygen I Preparations for the sickle the program have received sickness of the blood. When red blood cells which are usually i The tests are to be offered free of charge. cell program have been Sickle cell anemia residents about sickle cell. Then testing clinics will be set up on regualr basis either at Jackson School or possibly in the Nettie Gregory Center, 742 West South Temple. Should the screening process identify someone with sickle cell then there will be professional medical people available to counsel them on what the condition represents. If a person has the more severe anemia he will be offered continuing medical counseling and treatment. The screening test is a simple thing. A person's finger is pricked with a pin and a small sample of . blood is taken. The sample is tested to see if the person has any trace of sickle cell. Sickle cell disease, because it is with the child from birth, causes complications early in life which Tax Help Offered At Three Locations the child and parents should program will start in the Jackson area within the next four to eight weeks after those who will run adequateitraining. Page 4 Dr. Summers, estimate that of the more than 20 million blacks in the United States about eight percent have the sickle cell trait. He estimated about one out of every 500 blacks has sickle cell anemia in some severe form. Underscoring the importance of sickle cell screening. Dr. Summers said sickle cell anemia occurs more often than mental retardation, cystic fibrosis, childhood diabetes and muscular dystrophy. Yet all of these diseases, he noted, are well known to the public while sickle cell anemia, which is more dangerous in actual numbers, is not given the attention it deserves. Dr. Summers explained that screening was especially important for young people. a What may be more important, says Dr. Summers, is knowing about the trait when children are planned. Young couples should at least be aware of the chances they face, the doctor believes, for if one or both parents has the trait their off-sprin- g might also inherit it. The doctor mentioned that some controversy has sprung up in other parts of the country over the screening method. Some groups feel it is wrong for blacks to take a test which might tag them as different. These groups call the screening "racist." Dr. Summers and those concerned with the Jackson School program think that in the face of what sickle cell disease is and can do, any concerned parent should know if his child has sickle cell or not. Dr. Summers is against laws which require the screening, but believes it is jut good sense to have it done. (In coming weeks the Neighborhood News will have more articles about sickle cell and the Jackson program.) Ladies, The CPAs will be at the is mistaken for stubborness when he may be suffering from sickle cell deficiences. in has its highest incidence in blacks. It also occurs, he said, with some frequency among many other ethnic groups such as Arabs, Italians, Asian, Indians and Pakistanis among others. Caucasians have also been known to carry the sickle cell . Statistics, cited by know about. Occasionally child's "contrary" behavior following locations, as indicated below: The Utah CPA Association is once again providing income tax assistance to low-incom- Central City Community e directed toward answering questions and Center - 322-243615 South Third East, each Tuesday night from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. until assisting the individual in April 10,1973. individuals. 6, The program is preparing his own return rather Horace Mann Jr. High than preparing the returns. Those needing help should bring their W-- forms and other information regarding income, in Community School - 359-852233 West First North, each Wednesday night from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. until April 11, 1973. 2, 2 addition to all information Redwood Community relating to deductable expenses, School 2650 South Redwood Road, each Thursday night from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. until April 12, 1973. such as medical expense, taxes, contributions, interest paid, union dues, child care, etc - 487-327- 1, you are in the Model Cities area of Emergency Home Repairs: The program offers to qualified applicants. Emergency Home Repairs such as: roof repairs plumbing repairs electrical repairs broken glass replacement heating system repairs pest extermination emergency structural repairs If emscm The "Emergency Home Repair" program is designed for e the and elderly home owners and renters of the model neighborhood. The repair work performed on your dwelling will be done by qualified contractors. No liens will be attached to applicants properties as a result of the repairs. As a model neighborhood resident and applicant you have the option of applying for: Unlimited earning Grant - the Emergency Home Repair will pay the contractor 100 of the repair cost. low-incom- GSM potential Set your own the Emergency Home Repair will pay the contractor 100 of the repair cost, and the applicant will repay, interest free, at monthly payments he or she can afford, the full cost of repairs. Loan schedule No experience necessary Training provided Glamorous field the Emergency Home Repair will pay the contractor 100 of the repair cost, and the Loan and Grant - applicant will repay interest free at monthly payments he or she can afford, the agreed percentage of loan. contact: Mrs. Keller 355-887- - 6 FOR INFORMATION OR APPLICATIONS, CONTACT: Your Distributor in Koscot Kosmetics Environmental Health Services 1179 Glendale Drive 359-143- 2 OR ! 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