This week sees the final report on sickle cell anaemia.

Here I will be investigating the disease often associated with sickle cell, known as Thalassaemia.

This condition is actually a dreaded disease and will take a little time to give you a full account of it.

However, let's continue with Jacqueline and various other members of the public interviewed recently who feel that the health service and employers have a lot to answer for.

Quite clearly it seems people need to be more aware of this condition, and no, it is not just a black issue. Help is needed, particularly with educating members of the general public and those in authority.

Jacqueline quotes: "I actually carry a card, but still the medical profession don't always understand. If I am not ill at the time, they assume I only have the trait. My card states I have HbSSC.

"To be more specific, it is evident from the specific information on the card that I carry the disease. Even sufferers, such as myself, need to be educated in this subject."

Jacqueline continues: "Upon visiting a hospital, and then being admitted, it is sometimes not until this point that you can visibly see swollen parts of the body, i.e. the spleen is a common factor, or sometimes the liver.

"If I am ill for a week, I will need another week to recover. Stronger pain-killers are sometimes prescribed, or perhaps morphine, which gives you an indication as to why I have to be admitted.

"It has taken me 40 years to learn how to cope. It could be that I am quite an expert by now."

Jacqueline describes the pain of crises as actually worse than childbirth! Can you imagine?

I asked the mother of two how she copes emotionally?

She pleasantly replied: "When each crises is over, we continue with our lives." She is such a very positive lady.

She then goes on to detail some quite useful tips for survival.

"As a mum, I have taught my daughters to set limits for themselves. For example, not to sit in a draught. Do not get cold or wet or over-exert yourself. Only swim in a warm swimming pool. You could suffer the consequences of entering a cold pool, which will bring on a crises reaction almost immediately."

Jacqueline often has thoughts of her two beautiful daughters.

"I sometimes feel the children are being robbed of their education, and the play-time with their peers." And says of Rachael: "She is not a sickle cell. She is Rachael, who has sickle cell, and she can still reach her potential, which is very important to her, and not to breakdown and feel sorry for herself."

My sincere thanks to the Sickle Cell Society, situated on Whitehorse Road, Thornton Heath, telephone number: 020 8251 7229. To Christine Williams and all her staff, and not forgetting the patients, who gave such a good account of themselves.

Thank you and good health.

July 17, 2002 12:30