wistv.com - Columbia, South Carolina |Performance will benefit Sickle Cell program

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - Nearly 500 children are treated every year at Palmetto Health Children's Hospital for sickle cell disease.

It's a painful disorder that typically affects African-Americans, but not many people know about.

Sickle Cell Anemia is an inherited disease. Almost 100 percent of the cases treated at Palmetto Health are African-American. The disorder contorts and transforms red blood cells which disrupt healthy blood flow.

"We have more than 500 children who are suffering with Sickle Cell disease that come to our hospital with frequent visits," said Katherine Davis with the Palmetto Health Foundation.

It's a disease, like many others, that's best treated when caught early on. "It's something if you're fortunate you'll grow to be an adult," said Davis.

For those with insurance and pediatric physicians, it can be tolerated, but not without chronic pain. Davis says it even gets to the point where a patient can barely move due to the pain.

"There's not enough oxygen getting to the body, so body parts ache and hurt," said Davis.

The pain is monitored and episodes prevented with frequent hospital visits.

"It can be a day, every week, it could be every month depending on what they're suffering with and complications associated with the disease," said Davis. "It could be every six months for children."

Sickle Cell can cause serious complications like strokes and heart attacks, but doctors say the goal of the treatment is to prolong life while managing the symptoms.

The Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble will be performing at the Township Auditorium on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. with all proceeds benefiting the Pediatric Sickle Cell Program at Palmetto Health.

Copyright 2012 WIS. All rights reserved.