The Tackle Sickle Cell campaign aims to educate the public, increase blood donations, and raise money & awareness for the fight against sickle cell disease. This campaign is spearheaded by NFL stars & twin brothers, Jason & Devin McCourty. The McCourty twins were football standouts at Rutgers University and both currently play for the New England Patriots. They’ve done everything together their entire lives, so its no surprise that they’ve joined forces with their charitable efforts. Jason & Devin have seen first hand the devastating effects of Sickle Cell on family members and they are choosing to use their platform to help families in similar situations.
What is Sickle Cell disease?
Sickle Cell disease is an inherited disorder that causes a person’s red cells to change shape because of a chemical change in their hemoglobin (a substance that carries oxygen in the blood). This defective hemoglobin distorts the shape of the red cells forming crescents or “sickle” shaped cells. Sickle red cells lose their elasticity, become rigid and clog narrow blood vessels resulting in their destruction so the person becomes chronically anemic.
Fact Sheet
- Sickle cell disease is the most common genetic disorder in the US.
- If both parents have the sickle cell trait, each of their children will have 1 in 4 (25%) chance of having sickle cell disease.
- About 100,000 Americans are thought to be affected with sickle cell disease.
- Every year another 1,000 babies are born with the disease.
- 1 in 500 African Americans and 1 in 1400 Hispanics are born with Sickle Cell Disease
- It also affects people from the Caribbean, Middle East, India and the Mediterranean.
- 3 in 10 Mediterranean (Greek/Italian) Americans, 5 in 100 of Southern Asian/Middle Eastern and 3 in 100 of African/Hispanic Americans carry the gene for Thalassemia (congenital disorder of hemoglobin)
- A blood test can check for Hemoglobin S, a defective hemoglobin
- Patients affected with sickle cell disease need constant treatment
2019 Tackle Sickle Cell Casino Night
The McCourty twins are hosting the 2019 Tackle Sickle Cell Casino Night in Boston on Monday, October 28, 2019. This fundraiser takes place from 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. (VIP Red Carpet at 6:30pm) at Royale, located at 279 Tremont Street in Boston and benefits two Boston area nonprofits, Boston Medical Center and Next Step. Click here for more information.