Saskatchewan offering help for patients with sickle cell disease

The first red blood cell exchange (RBCX) transfusion to be done in Saskatchewan took place Wednesday in Regina.

Previously, adults from Saskatchewan who had sickle cell disease had to go out of province to get the transfusions. As of Wednesday, the Saskatchewan Health Authority is offering the procedures in Regina and Saskatoon.

Pediatric patients can get RBCX at Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital in Saskatoon.

“I hope having this program in Saskatchewan creates awareness that even with regular red cell exchange, sometimes sickle cell patients may experience crisis,” Brenda Swaray, the first sickle cell patient to receive an RBCX transfusion in the province, said in a media release issued by the SHA.

On average, patients require RBCX transfusions every four to six weeks.

Sickle cell disease can include complications such as acute chest syndrome, stroke or multi-organ failure. The transfusions help relieve symptoms and pain and help to prevent the complications.

“I am very pleased that SHA Kidney Health and the (Saskatchewan Cancer Agency) are able to offer this therapy in Saskatchewan. This treatment will have a significant impact on patients with sickle cell illness, providing access and treatment in their home province,” said Dr. Bonnie Richardson, SHA Medical Lead for Apheresis (Regina).

“We can now offer the treatment to patients hospitalized with acute sickle cell complications while also offering treatments to prevent hospitalizations and travel out of province.”

The procedure is available to patients by physician referral at Regina’s General Hospital and St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon. It also can be delivered in urgent/emergent situations in any acute-care facility in either of those cities.