Sickle cell disease is the most common genetic condition in the UK. One baby in every 2,000 is born with the condition, which will affect them for life. In England alone it affects around 12,500 people.

Sickle cell disease causes red blood cells to form in crescent or sickle shapes rather than flexible, round discs making it difficult for the cells to be transported through the bloodstream and deliver oxygen around the body.

Symptoms of the condition range from anaemia, tiredness and breathlessness to debilitating attacks or ‘crises’ where blood vessels become blocked resulting in nearby tissue being starved of oxygen which causes the patient pain and can result in organ damage. In severe cases it can lead to a stroke or blindness.

How we’re helping

Existing treatment for children with sickle cell involves a form of chemotherapy. Sparks is funding a research project investigating the possibility of a safer, less toxic and more targeted therapy for sickle cell disease which has potential to develop into an improved method of treatment within the next few years.

Our research projects in this area

• Investigating new therapies for sickle cell disease

  Sparks is funding a research project that aims to investigate the possibility of a safer, less toxic and more targeted therapy