Dr. Johnson Haynes, professor of internal medicine and director of the University of South Alabama Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center, is currently evaluating new ways to care for sickle cell pain crisis. Volunteers with sickle cell anemia are needed for this study.

Haynes’ research explores potential new treatments for sickle cell disease that could reduce pain crisis and acute chest syndrome – the most common causes of hospitalization and the leading causes of death for patients with sickle cell disease.

Sickle cell patients who wish to volunteer for this study will be required to give a small sample of blood.

In the United States it is estimated that more than 70,000 people live with sickle cell disease. An estimated 1,000 babies are born with the disease each year in America. Sickle-cell anemia, the most severe form of sickle-cell disease, affects approximately 2,000 Alabama residents and 148,000 Alabamians are estimated to carry the genetic trait, according to the Sickle Cell Disease Association.

Haynes is director of the USA Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center. His interests are in the research and treatment of sickle cell disease and lung diseases.

If you are interested in more information or participating in this study, please call (251) 470-5893.