By Iyamide Thomas – Thursday, 19th June is World Sickle Cell Day (WSCD), an annual day that the United Nations asks countries around the world to raise awareness of sickle cell disease, an inherited and serious blood condition that causes pain (known as crises), anaemia and organ damage. In the UK, approximately 17,000 people have sickle cell disease and approximately 300 babies are born with it each year. Sickle cell can affect anyone, but predominantly affects people who originate from malarial areas such as people of African and Caribbean heritage. This is because the sickle cell gene evolved to protect against malaria and having one copy of the gene (I.e. being a ‘carrier’ or ‘trait’) offered some protection.
Approximately 1 in 76 babies born in the UK carry sickle cell trait. A person needs two copies of the sickle cell gene (one inherited from each parent) to have sickle cell disease. There is a National Health Service (NHS) Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Screening Programme that tests pregnant women, partners and new-born babies to see if they carry the gene or have the condition. You can also ask your GP for the screening blood test, especially if family members carry the gene and you are considering having children.
The Sickle Cell Society’s WSCD 2025 theme is ‘Tell it Loud’. Whether you’re living with sickle cell, caring for someone who is, or simply want to stand with the community — this is your moment to raise your voice and be heard. It’s time to turn up the volume on awareness, advocacy and creativity. ‘Tell it Loud’ is a bold call to action: speak up, share your story, celebrate resilience, and demand change.
When we tell it loud — and do it together — we change minds, shift policy, and create a future with better care, more options, and greater understanding.
For more information on sickle cell and how to get involved in World Sickle Cell Day go to: https://www.sicklecellsociety.org/wscd25/
