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New national study, procedure improving 'quality of life' in sickle cell patients

By Kristin Leigh
By Kristin Leigh

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — About 100,000 Americans live with Sickle Cell Disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control. But doctors in Charlotte are curing patients with a groundbreaking procedure.

The blood cell disorder causes exhaustion and chronic pain. According to the CDC, the disease makes it difficult for blood to carry oxygen throughout the body.

[Charlotte 13-year-old with sickle cell plays lead role in Broadway's 'Lion King']

As September kicks of Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month, Channel 9 learned patients in Charlotte have more options now than ever before.

Ike Chuba is a 17-year-old high school student at Lake Norman Charter in Huntersville. He was diagnosed with sickle cell disorder at just 1 year old.

"I was missing everything," He told Channel 9, about living with the disease. "It felt so bad. It was painful. I was crying because I couldn't do what I love to do. I love to act."

The energetic teen enjoys performing in theater productions at school and in his community.

In June, he underwent a groundbreaking procedure at Atrium Health's Levine Children's Hospital.

"I feel great now," Chuba said. "I just thank God and everybody, because without that my life was crashing. It was crashing before my eyes. I saw it."

Dr. Daniel McMahon treats patients like Ike as the Director of the Pediatric Sickle Cell Program for Atrium Health.

McMahon told Channel 9 patients with the disease often need bone marrow transplants, but finding a donor who is a perfect match is very difficult.

"We're part of a national study looking at using less-than-perfect matches," McMahon said. "In fact, we're looking at half matches. By definition every parent is a half match."

So doctors are turning to moms and dads to offer a life-changing option.

Ike underwent the procedure this summer.

"I know everything's not set, it's not finished," Ike said. "But I know I'm safe. I know I can run without having to take a water break every five seconds."

[Carolina kid battles sickle cell disease with strength and determination]

His case and others like it leave doctors hopeful.

"They didn't live past 18 years when I started," McMahon told Channel 9. "Now the life expectancy we hope is near normal."

McMahon emphasized that the procedure is improving the quality of life for sickle cell patients.

Click on this link to learn more about the 5th Annual 3K Sickle Cell Walk/Run.

"They shouldn't be excluded from activity," McMahon said. "They can go on and go to college. I have a patient who's now in medical school."

"These are people with no limits," McMahon continued. "They shouldn't be placed in a box. They can do and be anything that they want."

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