FREE Sickle Cell Trait Screenings

NEW HAVEN – Michelle’s House is scheduling appointments for screenings for the Sickle Cell Trait (SCT), supported by genetic counseling, effective immediately.

Sickle Cell Disease occurs when irregular red blood cells, which are sickle-shaped instead of disc-shaped, do not carry sufficient levels of oxygen to organs within the body. Those who carry the trait might never experience the debilitating effects of the disease itself but could pass the disease or trait to their children through their genes.

Testing is the way for individuals to know if they or their loved ones or family members are Sickle Cell Trait carriers.

“Everyone of child-bearing age, males and females, should be tested if they do not know their Sickle Cell Trait status, which may put their future babies at risk for Sickle Cell Disease. The disease is genetically carried from parents to children. We all must protect our families and our children from this possible deadly debilitating disease,” said James Rawlings, R.PH, MPH, President/CEO of SCDAA, CT.

The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Connecticut (Michelle’s House) encourages males and females of child-bearing age to get tested. Testing is free.

Call Michelle’s House at (203) 859-5355 from 9am – 5pm, Monday - Friday to schedule your screening.

Michelle’s House is the first community-based sickle cell center in the Northeast. Michelle’s House is located at 1389 Chapel St, New Haven, CT 06511.