JOHNSON INTRODUCES BILL TO CREATE
'NEW JERSEY SICKLE CELL DISEASE TASK FORCE'
Task Force Would Operate In State Department of Health and Senior Services

(TRENTON) -- Assemblyman Gordon M. Johnson today introduced legislation to establish a panel to study what steps must be taken to help children and their families combat sickle cell disease. "Sickle cell disease is chronic and lifelong," said Johnson (D-Bergen). "Sickle cell disease leads to painful attacks that can lead to stroke and serious damage to internal organs. The average lifespan for someone with sickle cell disease is 40 years. It is in our best interest to study sickle cell disease and do our best to search for a cure."

Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder that affects red blood cells. People with sickle cell disease have red blood cells that contain an abnormal type of hemoglobin -- making red blood cells hard and pointed instead of soft and round.

These red blood cells become sickle-shaped (crescent shaped) and have difficulty passing through small blood vessels, preventing suitable amounts of blood from reaching parts of the body. Sickle cells cause anemia, pain and many other forms of ailment. There is currently no cure for sickle cell disease.

According to the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, more than 70,000 people in America have sickle cell disease. About 1,000 babies are born with the disease each year -- 75 each year in New Jersey.

The Johnson bill (A-3846) would create a seven-member task force in the state Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) to study and evaluate the trends of sickle cell disease and consider ways to help fight the disease. The task force would be charged with preparing a report to be submitted to the Governor and Legislature based on their findings and recommendations.

The task force would consist of the Director of the Office of Minority and Multicultural Health in DHSS and public members appointed by the Commissioner of Health and Senior Services with the consideration of the Academy of Medicine of New Jersey, the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, the New Jersey Primary Care Association, and the New Jersey Hospital Association.

The measure also is sponsored by Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Mercer).

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