Sickle Cell Foundation of Greater Montgomery, Inc.

Counseling

This Foundation provides individual genetic counseling to all persons whose test results identify them as having sickle cell disease or one of its variants. All clients diagnosed with sickle cell anemia are provided immediate counseling and entered into long term (continued) health care and follow-up programs by the Foundation's Outreach Counselors. For those clients diagnosed with the sickle cell trait, counseling and semi-annual follow-up services are provided. All counseling services are confidential and free of charge. Our overall goal is to counsel individuals with positive test results so they can make informed decisions about their lives.

As a result of the counseling session, the person with a positive result will be able to:

Identify sickle cell trait, sickle cell anemia or any variants as inherited conditions.
Identify sickle cell trait or its variants as symptomless conditions.
Identify sickle cell anemia or its variants as blood disorders that can cause health problems.
State differences between sickle cell trait, sickle cell anemia and their variants.
Define probability as a chance occurrence
Determine the probability of transmitting a hemoglobinopathy to offspring
Understand the importance of family members voluntary participation in the education and screening process