Grant to help sickle cell patients

Mental health program created to aid patients cope with the stress

San Bernardino County residents with sickle cell disease will have help coping with the mental health effects of the incurable illness.

“When it comes to outcomes in the Inland Empire, we know that a program like this … will be that backstop for behavioral and mental health,” Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-san Bernardino, said Feb.24 at Loma Linda University Health. “It’ll be outcome-driven and patientdriven and affect the lives of those (with the disease) in our community.”

Aguilar announced $542,597 in federal funds for a mental health outreach program for those suffering from the chronic disease, which can cause organ damage and strokes.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, sickle cell disease affects an estimated one in 365 Black children and one in 16,300 Hispanic births.

There are about 7,000 Californians with sickle cell disease.

The second-largest population of them lives in San Bernardino County.

“The fact that the secondlargest concentration of sickle cell is in this region means we need to pay just a little bit more attention,” Aguilar said.

The new mental health program is intended to provide help for patients and caregivers.

“Through the generous support of Congressman Aguilar, we are able to fill a gap and care for the sickle cell community through the development and implementation of a coordinated mental health outreach program,” Dr. Chanell Grismore, director of sickle cell services at Loma Linda University Health, said in a news release.

“Our efforts will continue to shed a light on sickle cell disease and ensure sickle cell patients get access to the care they need and deserve,” she said.