Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most prevalent hereditary blood disorder in the United States, affecting 90,000-100,000 Americans, mostly African Americans. Latoyia Webb is one of more than 800 people in Wisconsin living with the disease.
Diagnosed at 18 months old, hospital stays were common throughout Latoyia’s childhood —10 or more each year. While away at college, lack of care options and complications from SCD threatened to put a hold on her education. But Latoyia was determined. She returned home to Wauwatosa, Wis., where she found the treatment she needed to manage her pain, dramatically reduce her hospital stays and achieve her goal of completing her degree.
Latoyia is one of more than 250 patients being treated at the Adult Sickle Cell Disease Clinic at Froedtert Hospital, led by Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin Medical Director and Investigator Joshua J. Field, M.D.
BloodCenter of Wisconsin is a leader in providing research and treatments that enhance and save the lives of people like Latoyia. September is National Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month, and the Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin is focusing attention on the critical need for blood donations from African American donors. Please help us spread this important message by sharing Latoyia’s story.