Hoosiers unite for Sickle Cell Advocacy Day

Hoosiers from across the state gathered at the Indiana State Capitol to encourage lawmakers to consider the needs of Hoosiers living with sickle cell disease. The rare inherited blood disorder occurs when 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. According to the Indiana Sickle Cell Data Collection Program, Black Hoosiers make up 87% of people with the disease in Indiana; they often experience disparities in health care. RELATED: Black Hoosiers not staying silent about sickle cell disease “We are here for one mission. That is health equity. Every human being deserves proper health care. There is nothing that we should hold back, especially for a group of people that are already born with a heavy load,” said Lena Harvey, a self-described sickle cell warrior. “Emergency Rooms are not equipped or designed for critical pain care that comes with sickle cell carriers. The same way that sickle cells clog our bodies is the way patients are clogging emergency rooms across the country.” Many people turn to the emergency room when pain episodes happen, but patients say that bias in American hospitals often causes them...