Sickle Cell Disease – “one of the world’s foremost genetic diseases”

Heather Ainsley ECB Publishing, Inc. The average human body is home to approximately 36 trillion cells, and of these cells, about 70 percent of them are specialized cells called blood cells. There are three types of blood cells in the body; red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. White blood cells, also called leukocytes, are a part of the body's immune system – they make antibodies that help to fight infections, and are individualized to suit our specific body's needs. Platelets, also called thrombocytes, are so small they can only be seen under a microscope. Platelets are made from bone marrow and when a person is injured, it is the platelets that rush to the area and cre