June 19th is World Sickle Cell Awareness Day. This painful rare disease affects an estimated 100,000 people in the United States. It’s more prevalent among people of African ancestry. About 1 in 13 Black or African American babies are born with sickle cell trait, which could be passed to their children. 

What promise do new cell-based gene therapies hold?

We speak with Cimone Vaughan, a 12-year-old living with sickle cell disease, and her mother, Nikia Vaughan, executive director of the Maryland Sickle Cell Disease Association.

Then, Dr. Jason Fixler, a doctor of pediatric hematology oncology at Lifebridge Health breaks down misconceptions about the disease. 

Links:
CDC Sickle Cell Disease
Sickle Cell Improvement in the Northeast Region through education project
FDA approves two sickle cell therapies, including first CRISPR medicine
Baltimore is a city heavily impacted by Sickle Cell Disease as awareness day approaches

June 19th is World Sickle Cell Awareness Day. This painful rare disease affects an estimated 100,000 people in the United States. It’s more prevalent among people of African ancestry. About 1 in 13 Black or African American babies are born with sickle cell trait, which could be passed to their children. 
What promise do new cell-based gene therapies hold?
We speak with Cimone Vaughan, a 12-year-old living with sickle cell disease, and her mother, Nikia Vaughan, executive director of the <a href="https://marylandsicklecelldisease.org/">Maryland Sickle Cell Disease Association</a>.
Then, <a href="https://doctors.lifebridgehealth.org/provider/Jason+Fixler/2515642">Dr. Jason Fixler</a>, a doctor of pediatric hematology oncology at Lifebridge Health breaks down misconceptions about the disease. 
Links: <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/sickle-cell/about/index.html">CDC Sickle Cell Disease</a> <a href="https://wepsicklecell.org/sinerge/#1516273870965-6aa7d499-0666">Sickle Cell Improvement in the Northeast Region through education project</a> <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/2023/12/08/fda-approves-sickle-cell-gene-therapies-crispr/">FDA approves two sickle cell therapies, including first CRISPR medicine</a> <a href="https://www.wypr.org/wypr-news/2024-05-13/baltimore-is-a-city-heavily-impacted-by-sickle-cell-disease-as-awareness-day-approaches">Baltimore is a city heavily impacted by Sickle Cell Disease as awareness day approaches</a>

Catch On the Record, hosted by Sheilah Kast, weekdays from 9:30 to 10:00 am, following NPR's Morning Edition. We'll discuss the issues that affect your life and bring you thoughtful and lively conversations with the people who shape those issues -- business people, public officials, scholars, artists, authors, WYPR reporters and other journalists who can take us inside the story. If you want to share a comment, question, or an idea for an interview you?d like to hear, email us at ontherecord@wypr.org

Catch On the Record, hosted by Sheilah Kast, weekdays from 9:30 to 10:00 am, following NPR's Morning Edition. We'll discuss the issues that affect your life and bring you thoughtful and lively conversations with the people who shape those issues -- business people, public officials, scholars, artists, authors, WYPR reporters and other journalists who can take us inside the story. If you want to share a comment, question, or an idea for an interview you?d like to hear, email us at <a href="mailto:ontherecord@wypr.org" target="_blank">ontherecord@wypr.org</a>

On The Record

Catch On the Record, hosted by Sheilah Kast, weekdays from 9:30 to 10:00 am, following NPR's Morning Edition. We'll discuss the issues that affect your life and bring you thoughtful and lively conversations with the people who shape those issues -- business people, public officials, scholars, artists, authors, WYPR reporters and other journalists who can take us inside the story. If you want to share a comment, question, or an idea for an interview you'd like to hear, email us at ontherecord@wypr.org

Catch On the Record, hosted by Sheilah Kast, weekdays from 9:30 to 10:00 am, following NPR's Morning Edition. We'll discuss the issues that affect your life and bring you thoughtful and lively conversations with the people who shape those issues -- business people, public officials, scholars, artists, authors, WYPR reporters and other journalists who can take us inside the story. If you want to share a comment, question, or an idea for an interview you'd like to hear, email us at <a href="mailto:ontherecord@wypr.org">ontherecord@wypr.org</a>

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