New Delhi.  World Sickle Cell Day is celebrated every year on 19 June. Sickle cell is a genetic disease, which is transferred from parents to children. In this, there is a lack of oxygen in the red blood cells and the shape of the cell does not become round. Due to which this cell looks like a half moon or a sickle. That is why it is called sickle cell. Due to which the growth of the child is affected. The growth of a child affected by sickle cell disease does not happen properly. Also, his immunity is also weaker than other children. If this disease is not treated on time, then it can also be fatal. This day is celebrated with the aim of making people aware about all this. In India, this disease is especially seen in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Eastern Gujarat, Maharashtra, Western Odisha and Northern Tamil Nadu.

History of World Sickle Cell Day

To spread awareness about this disease, on 22 December 2008, the United Nations General Assembly decided to celebrate 19 June as World Sickle Cell Awareness Day. Since then, this day is celebrated globally every year. For the first time, Sickle Cell Awareness Day was organized on 19 June 2009. The Global Alliance of Sickle Cell Disease Organizations was established on 10 January 2020 in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Theme of World Sickle Cell Day 2024

World Sickle Cell Day is celebrated every year with a new theme. This year the theme of World Sickle Cell Day is- Hope Through Progress: Advancing Sickle Cell Care Globally'

Its theme in the year 2023 was- "Building and strengthening global sickle cell communities, formalizing newborn screening and knowing your sickle cell disease status".

In the year 2022, this day was celebrated with the theme 'Shine the Light on Sickle Cell'