Blood, Sweat, Cells: The Power of Peer Support
Blood, Sweat and Cells: Real Talk About Sickle Cell Disease
Release Date: 02/06/2025
Dental Care & Sickle Cell: What You Need to Know
Blood, Sweat and Cells: Real Talk About Sickle Cell Disease
Dental care is often overlooked—but for people living with sickle cell disease or carrying the sickle cell trait, it can be a critical part of staying healthy and preventing serious complications. In this powerful and eye-opening episode of Blood, Sweat, and Cells: Real Talk About Sickle Cell Disease, host Valerie Pearson Bey sits down with Linda Chandler Jacobs, registered dental hygienist, educator, advocate, and founder of The Potter’s Smile, the only 501(c)(3) dental practice in the U.S. dedicated to serving patients with sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait. With more...
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Food Safety 101 for the Holidays
Blood, Sweat and Cells: Real Talk About Sickle Cell Disease
We all love a good holiday meal with turkey, sides, and sweet desserts — but for people with sickle cell disease or compromised immune systems, a foodborne illness can be far more than an inconvenience. It can be a serious health threat. I’m your host, Valerie Bey, board member with The Heart of Gold Sickle Cell Foundation of Northern Virginia. In this episode of Blood, Sweat & Cells: Real Talk About Sickle Cell Disease, I’m joined by Jodi King and Ian Armstrong, Environmental Health Specialists with the Fairfax County Health Department. Together, we break down why foodborne illness...
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Tatyana's Half Match Journey
Blood, Sweat and Cells: Real Talk About Sickle Cell Disease
From the series: Blood, Sweat & Cells: Real Talk About Sickle Cell Disease When Tatyana decided to stop her medication so she could have a child, she knew there would be risks. But nothing could have prepared her for the relentless pain that followed or the heartbreak of missing her baby’s first milestones while fighting for her own life. In this deeply moving third episode of our special series on half-matched bone marrow transplants, we hear from Tatyana, a 30-year-old sickle cell warrior who refused to give up. From pregnancy complications and endless hospital stays to a life-changing...
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Cure No Longer Out of Reach: Half-Match Bone Marrow Transplant
Blood, Sweat and Cells: Real Talk About Sickle Cell Disease
On this episode of Blood, Sweat, and Cells, host Valerie Bey sits down with Dr. Robert Brodsky from Johns Hopkins to talk about a groundbreaking half-matched bone marrow transplant, opening the door to cures for more sickle cell patients than ever before. Learn how this breakthrough procedure compares to gene therapy and what it means for the future treatment of patients with sickle cell disease. For anyone who’d like to learn more about this procedure, you can visit
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Half-Matched Bone Marrow Transplant: KeAndra's Story
Blood, Sweat and Cells: Real Talk About Sickle Cell Disease
Born with sickle cell disease, KeAndra Hickman endured years of painful crises, countless hospital stays, and constant uncertainty about her future. Then she discovered a groundbreaking option—a half-matched bone marrow transplant—and decided to take the leap. In this episode of Blood, Sweat, and Cells, host Valerie Bey sits down with KeAndra for a powerful and deeply personal conversation about the highs, lows, and ultimately life-changing outcome of her transplant journey. Most people with sickle cell disease will never find a perfectly matched bone marrow donor. But the good news is...
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Super Campers Always
Blood, Sweat and Cells: Real Talk About Sickle Cell Disease
Imagine a place where kids facing unique health challenges can just be kids. A place filled with laughter, friendship, and adventure, where medical needs for children with sickle cell disease are understood and met with expertise and compassion. That's exactly what Super Campers Always provides. Camp dates for 2025 are July 6-11. We'll be talking with Lulu Moeller, Director of Recreation Center & Youth Services with Melwood Community Services. They will share the inspiration behind this unique camp, the impact it has on campers and their families, and how it creates a supportive...
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Blood, Sweat, Cells: The Power of Peer Support
Blood, Sweat and Cells: Real Talk About Sickle Cell Disease
Blood, Sweat, and Cells: Real Talk about SCD is a podcast that provides in-depth, educational information about sickle cell disease (SCD). Each episode features interviews with patients or family members, doctors, and researchers who share their insights and experiences living with and treating this chronic condition. Our primary aim is to educate and advocate for patients with SCD and help them live their best quality of life. We all want to take charge of our health, and with new technology, there are more tools than ever to help us manage it. But sometimes, the greatest gains come from...
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Hope and Healing: Conquering Sickle Cell with BMT
Blood, Sweat and Cells: Real Talk About Sickle Cell Disease
Discover the incredible story of a young man and his bone marrow transplant experience. In this episode, we hear from a courageous young man and his supportive father as they recount their transformative journey through a bone marrow transplant that cured his sickle cell disease. Despite facing numerous obstacles and enduring many hardships, their unwavering determination led to a successful outcome. Now, they share their triumphant story of hope, perseverance, and ultimate happiness. 🎧 Listen now to be moved by their tale of overcoming adversity and achieving medical miracles. Don't miss...
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Women and Sickle Cell Disease
Blood, Sweat and Cells: Real Talk About Sickle Cell Disease
On this edition of Blood, Sweat and Cells: Real Talk About Sickle Cell Disease, We delve into the unique challenges women face when managing sickle cell disease, from menstrual issues to fertility concerns. Join us as we have a candid conversation with Dr. Sheinei Alan, an expert in sickle cell disease and its impact on women's health. Discover what you need to know about pregnancy complications, genetic counseling, and optimizing the chances of a healthy pregnancy and childbirth. We'll also explore the emotional and psychological well-being of women living with sickle cell disease and...
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Blood, Sweat and Cells: Understanding The Sickle Cell Trait
Blood, Sweat and Cells: Real Talk About Sickle Cell Disease
This sickle cell awareness month, the Heart of Gold Sickle Cell Foundation of Northern Virginia invites you to discover the significance of knowing your sickle cell status. Our guest, Dr. Sheinei Alan, sheds a light on understanding the distinction between sickle cell disease and the sickle cell trait. We'll explore family planning for couples who carry the trait and the impact of the sickle cell trait on those engaging in strenuous sports activities. Raise your awareness and foster understanding about the unique experiences of individuals with the sickle cell trait. Remember, knowledge is...
info_outlineBlood, Sweat, and Cells: Real Talk about SCD is a podcast that provides in-depth, educational information about sickle cell disease (SCD). Each episode features interviews with patients or family members, doctors, and researchers who share their insights and experiences living with and treating this chronic condition. Our primary aim is to educate and advocate for patients with SCD and help them live their best quality of life.
We all want to take charge of our health, and with new technology, there are more tools than ever to help us manage it. But sometimes, the greatest gains come from something more human: connection. For people living with chronic health conditions like sickle cell disease, the healthcare system can sometimes feel impersonal and focused solely on the physical aspects of the illness.
In this episode, we're diving into a vital aspect of well-being that goes beyond medical charts and treatment plans: the power of peer support. We'll explore how connecting with others who understand your journey can make a profound difference in living with sickle cell disease. Guests: Donisha Holley, Social Worker and Support Group Organizer from the Inova Adult Sickle Cell Center, and Sickle Cell Warrior Sunday Coleman.