New York State Department of Health Recognizes World Sickle Cell Day

Department Educates New Yorkers About Disease, Donating Blood, and Early Screening for Sickle Cell Disease

Sickle Cell Disease Predominantly Affects Black Community

ALBANY, N.Y. (June 18, 2025) – The New York State Department of Health recognizes World Sickle Cell Day by educating New Yorkers about the blood disorder and the importance of early screening and donating blood.

"Sickle cell disease is a serious health condition that disproportionately affects the Black community and places a significant physical, emotional and financial burden on individuals and their families," State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. "The Department remains deeply committed to raising awareness, advancing access to high-quality, equitable health care, ensuring robust newborn screening and building a strong, supportive community for those living with sickle cell disease."

Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder that affects hemoglobin, which carries oxygen to the body, within the red blood cells. Genetic variants result in the production of abnormal hemoglobin that causes the red blood cells to turn sickle-shaped and clump together. These sickle-shaped cells cause blockages in blood flow, which can lead to anemia, pain, infections and other severe complications. Treatments are available, with two considered curative – stem cell transplantation and gene therapy using newly emerging Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) technology.

The condition affects more than 100,000 people in the U.S. and 20 million people worldwide. In the U.S., most people who have sickle cell disease are Black.

Sickle cell disease is also more frequent in people from Hispanic, Southern European, Middle Eastern or Asian Indian backgrounds.

The New York State Newborn Screening Program provides screening for sickle cell disease and 50 other, mostly genetic diseases for all babies born in New York State. The goal is to help babies with these conditions live long and healthy lives. New York was first in the U.S. to implement newborn screening for sickle cell disease in 1975. Newborn screening involves a series of laboratory tests performed to identify babies at high risk for treatable disorders. Without timely medical intervention, these conditions can cause significant morbidity in newborns, and even death. Early diagnosis and treatment for these disorders leads to better health outcomes.

The Department remains committed to educating New Yorkers about sickle cell disease. The Department also urges New Yorkers to learn about blood donation because people with sickle cell disease benefit from blood transfusions.

Information about the New York State Newborn Screening Program can be found here.

Living With Sickle Cell Disease can be found here.

Locations for New Yorkers to donate blood can be found here.