Pediatric Sickle Cell Clinic

Here, care is about more than just treating symptoms. You can expect a team that knows your child, thinks ahead to possible problems and works with you to reduce complications, ease pain and help them grow, learn and enjoy life. From regular check-ups to urgent needs, this clinic is there to help your child stay healthier, feel better and spend more time having fun.

What Our Sickle Cell Clinic Provides

Our dedicated sickle cell clinic focuses on helping your child feel their best and avoid complications whenever possible.

Your child’s care may include:

• Regular monitoring and checkups to track your child’s health and catch problems early
• Lab work and imaging to monitor blood counts, organ health and disease progression
• Resources and support across the lifespan, from birth through adulthood, including help with transitions to adult care
• Inpatient care for complications that require hospitalization
• Medication management, including close monitoring of therapies, such as hydroxyurea
• Personalized pain management, to support comfort at home and during flare-ups
• Transfusions, when needed, provided by a specialized team experienced in sickle cell care
• Care coordination with trusted partners, including adult sickle cell services and specialty clinics
• Psychosocial support, including connection to housing, transportation assistance and food resources and support
• Community connection, including family events, back-to-school support and special gatherings to help your child feel connected and celebrated beyond clinic visits

Meet Your Care Team

Your child’s care is coordinated by a team that puts you and your family at the center. You’ll work with dedicated pediatric hematology-oncology providers who are specially trained in sickle cell disease. Registered nurse case managers are available for both pediatric and adult patients to help coordinate care, manage appointments and guide families through treatment and daily challenges

The team at the sickle cell clinic also works closely with behavioral health providers, dietitians, education coordinators, research staff and exercise specialists, all collaborating to address your child’s whole well-being

With this comprehensive team by your side, you and your family will have the knowledge, guidance and support you need to help your child live a full life with sickle cell disease.

See Our Featured Providers

When to Call

Living with sickle cell disease comes with unique needs, but you don’t have to figure things out alone. At the sickle cell clinic, you’ll have access to a dedicated clinic phone line, connecting you directly to a team that understands sickle cell and knows your child’s history.

Call your care team right away if your child has:

• Fever or signs of infection
• New or worsening pain that isn’t responding to home treatment
• Chest pain, shortness of breath or trouble breathing
• Severe headaches, weakness, vision changes or trouble speaking
• Unusual fatigue, dizziness or changes in behavior
• Swelling of the hands, feet or abdomen
• Any symptom that feels sudden, severe or different than usual

Dedicated Clinic Phone Number: (309) 624-4945

Resources for Families

There are many resources available to stay connected and informed about sickle cell disease.

• Sickle Cell Disease Association of America
• Sickle Cell Patient Family Handbook
• National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
• American Society of Hematology