Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic disorder that affects the production of red blood cells. In people with SCD, the red blood cells are shaped like a crescent or "sickle," which makes them stiff and prone to breaking. This can lead to a number of serious health problems, including anemia, pain, infections, strokes, and premature death. SCD is a chronic condition that requires lifelong treatment and management. Treatment may include medications to prevent or manage pain, blood transfusions to increase the number of healthy red blood cells, and bone marrow or stem cell transplants to replace the faulty red blood cells with healthy ones. People with SCD may experience fatigue, shortness of breath, and an increased risk of infections due to anemia. The sickle cells can also get stuck in the small blood vessels of the body, causing pain that can be severe and occur anywhere in the body. The sickle cells can also damage the spleen, an organ that helps fight infections, leading to an increased risk of infections. In some cases, the sickle cells can block blood flow to the brain, causing a stroke. SCD can shorten a person's life expectancy and increase the risk of premature death