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Transitioning children with Sickle Cell Disease to adult care

Transitioning children with Sickle Cell Disease to adult care

Have an idea for this challenge? If you haven't already, be sure to join the site (upper right hand corner) and post up your thoughts below!

How can the Aflac Cancer Center help more children with Sickle Cell Disease transition to adult care to continue their needed treatments? Please post ideas, comment to engage other contributors, share resources and ask friends to sign up at http://www.ChangeAgentsUnite.com!


CHALLENGE DETAILS: Sickle Cell Disease is a life-long disease, mainly affecting minorities. Sickle cell disease is extremely painful and requires consistent medical care to insure a healthy, pain-free life. Young adults must transition from pediatric care to adult care and are often hesitant to seek continued care due to the stigma often associated with sickle cell disease, access to care and time.

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW: The Aflac Cancer Center (http://www.aflaccancercenter.org) strives to enhance the lives of children through excellence in patient care, research and education. Whether treating an injured toddler in an emergency or supporting a teen through a series of chemotherapy treatments, we take our commitment to care for each and every child who comes through our doors very seriously. It’s through teamwork at every level of our organization and with you, the family, that we are able to achieve a high level of excellence in pediatric care.

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PRIZE SPONSOR: AFLAC - The number one provider of supplemental insurance in the United States (http://www.aflac.com).
PRIZE RECIPIENT DETAILS: The Aflac Cancer Center will select the one person whose idea helps most.
CHALLENGE END DATE: 12pm PT on June 22, 2012

PRIZE YOU CAN WIN: $1,000.00 donation made in your honor to the Aflac Cancer Center Sickle Cell program by Aflac plus receive an Aflac gift bag of swag. Aflac Oregon-South will add a three-foot tall duck plush toy to this gift bag!

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Latest activity

  1. Courtney Timm

    Congratulations to the winner! Posted by: Courtney Timm

    • On Aug 1, 2012, 11:29:34 AM Central Daylight Time
    • Topics: (None)

    Congratulations to Robbie Raaf! Your idea has been selected as a winner by the Aflac Cancer Center for the "Transitioning children with Sickle Cell Disease to adult care" challenge and you will be rewarded. The challenge sponsor, Aflac, has been contacted and will be in touch with you to sort out the details on getting the prize in your hands. If no contact has been made by August 15th, please let us know.

    Thank you for being a Change Agent!

  2. Robbie Raaf

    transitioning children with Sickle Cell Disease to adult care - a few ideas Posted by: Robbie Raaf

    • On Feb 18, 2012, 1:35:53 PM Central Standard Time
    • Topics: (None)

    It may be necessary to address several issues to resolve the problem.

    In general, the “stigma” of any disease or disorder comes as a result of a lack of understanding, not just on an individual level but, a community level. Open communications, education and support are crucial to resolving a stigma of any kind.

    In this day and age, as we see here on fmyi, the internet can be a great medium for education and support. I understand that not everyone has easy access to on-line but, it could be a great start.

    First I'd suggest putting together an Aflac Cancer Center sponsored website specifically with the focus of open communication, education and support. Information about the site can be given to each person, child and adult, undergoing treatment for Sickle Cell at the Aflac Cancer Center.

    The web site can contain a number of aspects including:
    Anonymous nickname's and profiles for those who desire anonymity.
    Open forum to share information.
    A chat room.
    Resource links including such organizations as http://sicklecellanemiafoundation.org
    & http://www.sicklecellsupportgroup.org/
    FAQ's
    A list of local resources broken down by area
    A list of National resources
    A forum to “ask a medical professional”
    A forum to openly discuss the “stigma” and it's effects on people with Sickle Cell Disease
    A forum to discuss better ways to educate others about the disease
    A method of building local support networks.

    This may be a good start to helping resolve the problems.

    It may also be important to educate people in pediatric care about local adult care options and services as well as provide some means of emotional support.

    In addition, it may be a good idea to take the time to really educate both the children with sickle Cell who are receiving treatments at the Aflac Cancer Centers & their parents about the importance of continued care into adulthood & to provide them with a list of local resources as well as some sort of permanent resource center where they can call and receive contact info for local or national organizations that can address specific needs or concerns(an information clearing house of sorts).

  3. Ron Drebert

    Fraternal Organizations Posted by: Ron Drebert

    • On Jan 7, 2012, 10:03:40 PM Central Standard Time
    • Topics: (None)

    There are numerous Masonic organizations throughout the United States and many provide children and young adults support when needing assistance in dealing with medical and other related challenges including but not limited to transportation.

    In the state of Ohio, we support the Special Olympics, and Adopt American to name a few. We also provide camperships for needy children to attend diabetic camps, learn about diabetes and how to enjoy a productive life.

    An educational program or camp of a similar nature may be developed to allow the same opportunity for those with sickle cell disease to learn how to live a productive life into adulthood .

    Here are a few of the links:

    http://www.ohio-council-masons.org/benevolent_fund.html

    http://adoptamericanetwork.org/

    1. Helaine Becker

      Helaine Becker on Feb 3, 2012, 6:29:10 AM Central Standard Time

      good one

  4. Graeme Byrd

    Rewards Posted by: Graeme Byrd

    • On Nov 21, 2011, 9:36:21 AM Central Standard Time
    • Topics: (None)

    A reward system for children can be different than that for adults. The Beads of Hope are great for children, but how do you take success of that and do something for adults? A badge of courage could be a helpful way

    Also, support groups and connect the teens with mentors who have been through the same process.

    1. Sarah Haskell

      Sarah Haskell on Nov 22, 2011, 4:08:47 PM Central Standard Time

      Connecting the teens with mentors who have been through similar circumstances is a GREAT idea.

    2. Graeme Byrd

      Graeme Byrd on Nov 22, 2011, 4:09:15 PM Central Standard Time

      Thanks Sarah!