More than 1700 Hoosiers are living with Sickle Cell Disease, a rare blood disorder where red blood cells become hard, sticky and C-shaped leading to blood flow blockages that can result in organ damage, serious infections or even stroke. This life-threatening condition is most commonly seen in individuals of African American, Hispanic/Latino, South Asian and Middle Eastern descent. It is likely that even more Hoosiers carry the Sickle Cell trait and could pass this life-threatening disease on to their children. Wednesday, June 19 is World Sickle Cell Day and Dr. Angeli Rampersad, a Pediatric Hematologist with the Indiana Hemophilia and Thrombosis Centers, joined FOX59 This Morning to talk about new treatments and therapies, and the latest updates on what’s being done to increase access to care.
Drawing more doctors to rare, specialized care
Like most industries, healthcare is experiencing a shortage of specialized doctors. In the hematology/oncology specialization, many physicians choose the more common of the two, oncology. Doctors who are trained in both also tend to be mostly exposed to oncology work...