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Show trait, they can decide for Sickle Cell Screening Project Underway Mary Jo Christie, chairman than the trait and often causes death. A week before Mary Jo found out about her daughter, she had suggested the screening of the Jackson Community School's sickle cell screening project, is well acquainted with the sickle cell sickness. She is organizing the screening project which will test people in the Jackson School area for the sickle cell disease and trait but her dealings with sickle project to the Jackson Community Service Center Beard. The center coordinates the delivery of social services to the Jackson School area and the cell go beyond that. Testing shows Mary Jo's that board was immediately one of twin girls has the disease and the other, the sickle cell trait. Mary Jo has two boys, ages 1 1 and 12, one is said to have the trait and the other might. Her two teenage daughters haven't been tested yet. What does this mean to Mary Jo and her family?To answer it is best to know something about sickle cell and what it is. Sickle cell is a sickness of the blood which occurs when the red blood cells can't carry enough oxygen throughout the body. Red blood cells are usually round in shape but as sickle cells, they look more like a crescent or quarter moon. seven-year-ol- d The body must have a constant flow of oxygen to function. Sickle cells clog up this flow because they are too weak to carry the needed oxygen. Without fresh blood and oxygen the organs of the body - the liver, kidneys and intestines especially -- up causing a sickle cell crisis." The crisis can last from a few hours to a week and be very will swell enthusiastic aboutthe idea. Mary Jo and members of the board contacted the Utah Sickle Cell Foundation which had been set up to do just what Mary Jo had suggested. Jackson thus became the pilot project for a statewide sickle cell program. Within the next few weeks Mary Jo and her fellow workers will open testing centers where people in the Jackson area can be tested for sickle cell. There will be an extensive education campaign to tell Jackson residents about sickle cell. Volunteers, many of them teenagers, will go from door to door in the Jackson area handing out information and urging people to be tested. Testing centers will be set up in the Jackson Community School, 750 West 1st North, the Northwest Center, 1300 West 3rd North, and the Nettie Gregory Center, 742 West South Temple, on different dates to make testing convenient to all parts of the neighborhood. Multi-purpos- e Mary Jo says she began to worry when her daughter was mere prick of the finger and test results will be reviewed by professional medical people. Anyone whose test indicates they have sickle cell having kidney trouble and will receive counseling on what to making extra trips to the do. painful. bathroom. Her girl also showed less vitality than her twin sister and was smaller in size. Testing is simple, Certain people - a Pakistanias, Arabs, some Italians, Indians - Asian have all shown traces of Examination at the sickle cell, yet the condition is University of Utah showed the youngster had sickle cell disease. She will have a difficult time with the disorder but with good diet, limited exercise and plenty of sleep, Mary Jo thinks her child most frequently found in black people with African origins. It is said some eight to ten percent of blacks carry the sickle cell trait and one out of 500 has the disease. Sickle cell is an inherited condition, it is passed on from parent to child. If both parents have the trait, chances are high the child will have either the disease or the trait. The presence of both the disease and the trait in the Christie family indicates both Mary Jo and her husband have the can have a fairly normal life. For Mary Jo's children who have the trait there is little to worry about. They will be able to do what most people do, yet, they, like their sister, must be somewhat careful. The Christie kids with the trait must be aware of situations where oxygen is scarce. High mountain passes, unpressurized airplanes at high altitudes, and underwater swimming are good examples of this. It is important to distinguish sickle cell disease from sickle cell trait. The disease is more severe trait. The possibility that young couples planning a family may have the trait and not know what it means is a primary reason for the sickle cell screening project. If a man or woman is aware of the themselves what sickle cell means to their marriage. Mary Jo was tested recently for sickle cell. She doesn't know for sure whether she has the disease or the trait. And while she cares to find out, she says, "I'm not too concerned about my health. I'm more worried about helping someone else. Mary Jo says she especially wants to help young kids. Help them decide on rearing children. With our screening they can be more prepared and know what to look for. Jackson's sickle Page 5 i -- , .... r (,'' '' f '41. 'v 3 t'T-- JS cell screening clinics will be offered soon. The testing is completely voluntary and free of charge. If you have any questions about the Jackson program or sickle cell itself,, call Mary Jo or one of her workers at 355-777They will give you all the help they can. 3EED 0PS01 HKB GS3SG3E DODfiC3D Fact Sheet On Sickle Cell Trait And Anemia HBS931 TOM? 3 Prepared by Charles F. Wayne State University School of Medicine Whitten, dUEc M. D., In some individuals the red blood cells can be changed from a round to a sickle shape. - If you are born with this - tendency from one parent you have Sickle Cell Trait. - If you are born with this tendency from both parents you have Sickle Cell Anemia. - A person with Sickle Cell Trait does not have sickle cells in the blood and does not have a FOR INFORMATION: Box 2 Sickle Cell Anemia the Salt Lake Neighborhood News - the ONLY Metropolitan Weekly Community Newspaper! Call today. Advertise in 467-801- 4 is incurable, at the moment. - Sickle Cell Anemia shortens some individual's lives. - Individuals with Sickle Cell Anemia can live satisfying lives. 1 of 10 Black Americans has Sickle Cell Trait. - 1 of 500 Black Americans has Sickle Cell Anemia. - If both parents have Sickle Cell Trait, each time a child is 60091 itfv a disease. - A person with Sickle Cell Anemia has sickle cells in the blood stream and has a disease. - Sickle Cell Anemia causes severe pain from time to time. - Wilmette, Illinois main Lamar Eskelson - Director 344 East First South Second Level Salt Lake City, Utah 84111 Telephone: 355-839- 3 -- born, there is a 25 One Copy of this Ad Good for one FREE Introductory Lesson Vocal or Instrumental chance the child will have Sickle Cell Anemia. Sickle Cell Anemia - is diagnosed during childhood. If you are an adult, do not worry about whether you have unrecognized Sickle Cell Anemia. - Since you do get sick from having Sickle Cell Trait, you will not know whether you have it unless you take a special blood test. child-bearin- g All Black persons in the age should take the blood test to find out whether they have the Sickle Cel T rait. I Personalized Professional Instruction Beginners, Advanced students & Artist Careers in Modern, Classical, Flamenco and Folk AII Fretted Instruments and Voice Private, Class , Group, Ensemble Home of the Intermountain Guitar Society Meeting: 2nd Thursday Each Month, 8:00 p.m. The Academy Singers - By Audition The Academy Guitars - By Audition The Academy Boys Choir - By Audition |