Sickle Cell Awareness Stamp

The United States Postal Service has a tradition of raising the public’s awareness of various social and health issues. In September 2004, they did so by issuing the Sickle Cell Awareness postage stamp.

This stamp is beautiful. It features a woman kissing her little diaper clad baby. The words “Test Early for Sickle Cell” adorn the front to remind everyone that early testing is the key to survival with this disease.

Sickle Cell Disease is the most common hereditary blood disorder known. It is estimated that 1 out of every 12 African Americans have Sickle Cell Disease or carry the traits of the disease in the United States alone. Most people don’t know that this disease is common and can be found in any race around the world. A simple blood test is all that is needed to determine if you are a carrier of the gene or actually have Sickle Cell Disease.

There is no known cure for the disease. It is believed that more than 80,000 people in America currently have the disease. Sickle Cell Disease changes normal blood cells that are smooth and round into “sickle” shaped cells. The oddly shaped cells then block normal blood flow and damage internal organs. This disease is painful and can cause death at an early age. During the Bush presidency, the Sickle Cell Treatment Act was signed into legislation to expand services for patients who suffer from this terrible disease.

If you don’t have this Sickle Cell Awareness stamp in your collection already, you can purchase it and other stamps at Stamp Center.