Sickle Cell Disease Awareness
Kevin Wake is originally from Leavenworth, Kansas, but has called Kansas City home since 2003. Kevin is also a two-time stroke survivor who lives with Sickle Cell Disease.
Kevin tries to manage his disease symptoms mostly from home with heat therapy, a conscious diet and exercise. These treatments help Kevin as he tries to avoid pain medications. However, Kevin has come to Truman’s Emergency Room when he has an atypical pain crisis. Another part of Kevin’s disease management is regular visits to TMC/UH’s Sickle Cell Center. Kevin comes every five weeks for exchange blood transfusions in an effort to prevent another stroke.
“As I celebrate World Sickle Cell Awareness Day,” Kevin says, “I am thankful that I can receive care from a clinic that is dedicated completely to the total care of Sickle Cell Disease!” Kevin appreciates that the TMC/UH Sickle Cell Center is also an internal medicine clinic and works in tandem with the hematology clinic. This opportunity to have all his care under one clinic is a first for Kevin, who says other cities he has lived in did not have a place with this care model.
Kevin, who is the current president of the Uriel E. Owens Sickle Cell Disease Association, says the Center also provides a sense of community. Due to the pandemic, monthly group meetings that used to be at TMC/UH have become virtual weekly check-in calls. You can find more information here.