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St. Jude Children's Research Hospital - St. Jude-Methodist Sickle Cell Disease Transition Clinic
The clinic helps teens and young adults with sickle cell disease (SCD) make the leap from St. Jude to adult-care facilities of their choice. Using curriculum developed by the St. Jude Hematology Department, the transition team prepares patients by addressing peer relationships, nutrition, stroke risk and other disease complications, the benefits of exercise and the effects of substance abuse on teens with SCD.
What is it?
The clinic helps teens and young adults with sickle cell disease (SCD) make the leap from St. Jude to adult-care facilities of their choice. Using curriculum developed by the St. Jude Hematology Department, the transition team prepares patients by addressing peer relationships, nutrition, stroke risk and other disease complications, the benefits of exercise and the effects of substance abuse on teens with SCD.
Who is it for?
12- to 25-year-old St. Jude patients with SCD.
Why do they do it?
Transitioning can be a dangerous time for adolescents with SCD, who may be away from home for the first time and handling decisions about treatment, insurance and other issues that affect their health. Several studies cite that these young adults are at a high risk for early death.
Impact
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital treats about 850 children each year who have SCD. Of those patients, 40 to 50 are transitioning to adult care every year.
Contact: Sheila Anderson
Case Manager
Telephone: 901-595-6217
E-mail: sheilam.anderson@stjude.org
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