Family members are affected too — they may need to take time off work during the most intensive phase of the treatment. Additionally, most Americans with sickle cell are Black and may not trust a health care system that has often failed to provide the most basic preventive and therapeutic care for those with the disease. Some with sickle cell are anxious about undergoing a medical treatment that is on the cutting edge of biotechnology. “We are finally at a spot where we can envision broadly available cures for sickle cell disease,” said Dr. John Tisdale, director of the cellular and molecular therapeutics branch at the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute and a member of the advisory committee. Kyra is now in intensive care as doctors try to control her pain.

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Persons: It’s, ”, John Tisdale, Dana Jones, San Antonio, Kyra Organizations: Blood Institute