I'm taking part in the St Thomas' abseil in September to raise money for the sickle cell service at Guys, where I work as a doctor. 

Sickle cell is an inherited anaemia which can cause lots of problems. The clinical hallmark is a 'pain crisis' - severe pain caused by red blood cells turning from round to a 'sickle' shape and blocking blood vessels. Often, this can require hospital admission so that patients can receive high-dose painkillers.

In addition, sickle cell can cause organ problems, such as strokes, kidney failure, as well as bone, eye, lung, heart issues. As a result, patients need regular clinic and inpatient hospital visits, with frequent blood testing. This repeated testing can eventually make it difficult to take blood from the patients for further tests.

I am doing the abseil with colleagues. We aim to raise funds to buy an ultrasound machine that will help with blood-taking for patient who have trouble with veins and make it less painful.

Thank you in advance for your support. 

For more information on sickle cell disease please follow this link https://www.sicklecellsociety.org/about-sickle-cell/