My name is Lynnette Smith I am 50 years old both my parents came from Jamaica and my father carries the Thalassemia trait. Thalassemia is inherited, this means that at least one of your parents must be a carrier of the disorder. It’s caused by a genetic mutation or a deletion of certain key parts of a gene.

I grew up not knowing the dangers of Sickle Cell anemia or Thalassemia. It wasn't until I was in my late teens and my partner at the time had to have a minor operation which was when I found out he had the Sickle Cell trait I spoke to my parents about this and it was then I discovered that my father and some of my siblings carried the Thalassemia trait. I never knew that two people who are carriers of either Sickle Cell or Thalassemia trait could have a child that could become seriously ill. This is the reason why I am raising awareness, so that young people know the risks about Sickle Cell Anemia and are aware of the dangers if they are a carrier in a relationship with a partner who is also a carrier.

THE SCIENCE: WHAT ARE SICKLE CELL AND THALASSEMIA

Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder in which the body makes an abnormal form of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the protein molecule in red blood cells that carries oxygen.

Thalassemia and sickle cell disease are both blood disorders, but that’s where the similarities end as they affect the hemoglobin chains in different ways.

Thalassemia can affect either the alpha or the beta chain. Sickle cell disease affects only the beta chain.

There are two main forms of thalassemia that are very serious.

** Alpha thalassemia ** at least one of the alpha globin genes has a mutation or abnormality.

** Beta thalassemia** the beta globin genes are affected.

The disorder causes an excessive amount of red blood cells to be destroyed, which leads to anemia, a condition in which your body doesn’t have enough normal, healthy red blood cells.