Sickle cell treatment now available at Kingston General Hospital

Kingston General Hospital has launched a new treatment for sickle cell disease, offering local patients a specialized red cell exchange procedure. This inherited blood disorder causes red blood cells to become misshapen, leading to severe pain episodes and potential damage to vital organs like the lungs, heart, kidneys, and liver. "Sickle cell disease is a multi-organ disorder," explained Lanre Tunji-Ajayi, president and CEO of the Sickle Cell Awareness Group of Ontario. "It affects every organ in the body... and sometimes it will lead to premature death." Previously, patients in the Kingston area requiring this specialized treatment had to be transferred to hospitals in Toronto or Ottawa. For chronic patients needing regular treatment, this meant monthly travel to Ottawa. Dr. Natasha Satkunam, a hematologist at Kingston General Hospital, highlighted the significance of having the service available locally. While research into gene therapy continues, Dr. Satkunam noted that such treatments remain costly and inaccessible for many. Advocates emphasize the importance of education and early awareness, as sickle cell trait, which can be asymptomatic, may go unnoticed until a child is born with the disease. Health officials observe an increase in sickle cell cases in Kingston, attributing it to changing regional demographics.

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Sickle cell disease is a multi-organ disorder. It affects every organ in the body, the lungs, the heart, the kidney, the liver. So you have damage to vital organs of the body and sometimes it will lead to premature death.