For many Black sickle cell patients, care must reach deeper
Sickle cell patient Alexis Tappan, right, is checked out by Rana Cooper on at the Methodist Hospital Cancer Institute and Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center. Memphis is home to one of the nation’s largest populations of adults living with sickle cell disease. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)
Memphis is a hub for sickle cell treatment, attracting researchers from across the world. Black patients with the inherited blood disorder not only face chronic pain, but trauma beyond the doctor’s office.
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Mental health Sickle Cell Disease social determinates of health Lemuel Diggs St. Jude Children's Research HospitalAisling Mäki
Aisling Mäki has been writing about Memphis since she moved to the city more than 20 years ago. She’s worked for print, digital and broadcast news outlets, including Memphis Daily News and Action News 5 (WMC), as well as public relations agencies. Her work has earned awards from The Associated Press, Tennessee Press Association, Society of Professional Journalists and Public Relations Society of America.
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