Sickle Cell Foundation of Greater Montgomery, Inc.

Hemoglobin is found in the red blood cells and is the oxygen carrier of the blood.
The type of hemoglobin we have is determined by inheritance.
There are over 400 different types of abnormal hemoglobins (hemoglobinopathies) found both in the black and white population.
People who inherit one normal gene (A) for hemoglobin and one abnormal gene (?) for hemoglobin are known as hemoglobin trait carriers.
The most common abnormal hemoglobins found in the black population are Hemoglobin S and Hemoglobin C.
1 out of 10-12 African Americans carries the gene for Hemoglobin S (AS) - Sickle Cell Trait.
1 out of 40 African Americans carries the gene for Hemoglobin C (AC) - Hemoglobin C Trait.
Usually trait carriers are not sick, they can live a healthy, normal life.
Individuals must have a special hemoglobin test to determine if they may be trait carriers.
Sickle Cell Trait carriers will not develop Sickle Cell Disease but may pass it on to their offspring.
If both parents are Sickle Cell Trait carriers, each time a child is born there is a 25% chance the child will have some variant of Sickle Cell Disease.
Sickle Cell Disease has many known variants.
Sickle Cell Anemia (SS) affects 1 out of 500 African Americans.
Sickle Cell Hemoglobin C Disease (SC) affects 1 out of 800 African Americans.
Over 50,000 African Americans are victims of Sickle Cell Diseases.
Sickle Cell Disease is incurable at the moment.
A person with Sickle Cell Disease can live a productive, useful life if they take care of themselves and visit the doctor regularly.
If you are old enough to be the parent of a child you should know your hemoglobin type.
You may obtain a hemoglobin test, free of charge, at the Sickle Cell Foundation of Greater Montgomery.