Seeking help? Welcome!

The Fredericksburg Area Sickle Cell Association (FASCA) is a nonprofit, volunteer health-service organization

We're part of a caring, state-wide sickle cell network

We were founded in 1972 by the Rev. Lawrence A. Davies, who envisioned a statewide network of sickle cell organizations, providing education and promoting awareness in order to improve health care services for sickle cell patients.

We serve Fredericksburg and surrounding counties

Since its founding, FASCA has provided effective education, encouragement, and support for residents of Fredericksburg and the surrounding counties, including Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George, and Caroline.

We're independent and financially self-sustaining

Incorporated in 1994, FASCA operates as a completely volunteer, financially self-sustaining organization, independent of any commercial agenda. Contributions and membership dues provide our support.

Our leadership is knowledgeable, experienced, and committed

FASCA is governed by a knowledgeable board of directors. Our leadership includes nurses, clergy, parents who have raised children with sickle cell disease, and other experienced, committed advocates.

Testing brings knowledge

Are you worried that either you or a loved one might carry the sickle cell trait??
Hemoglobin electrophoresis test

Hemoglobin electrophoresis test

A hemoglobin electrophoresis test can determine if you or your loved one carries the sickle cell TRAIT that might contribute to the chances of a child being born with sickle cell DISEASE.
Talk to your medical provider

Talk to your medical provider

To be sure that you are being tested in the right way, be sure to ask your medical provider for the HEMOGLOBIN ELECTROPHORESIS test by name. Don't be vague about what you want.
Different types of hemoglobin

Different types of hemoglobin

Hemoglobin is what gives your blood its red color. It carries the oxygen. And just as there are different blood types, there are DIFFERENT HEMOGLOBIN TYPES.

What the results mean

If a hemoglobin electrophoresis test determines that both parents carry the sickle cell trait, then there is a 25 percent chance with each pregnancy that a child will be born with sickle cell disease.

In Virginia, all babies are tested

In Virginia, all newborns are screened for sickle cell disease. Be sure you ask for the results.

Upcoming Events

Advancements offer hope

In recent years, significant medical advancements have brought the ability to decrease the severity of sickle cell illness in children, thereby greatly reducing the overall death rate among youngsters with the disease.
For children under five

For children under five

The risk of infection

Infants with sickle cell disease have always been at great risk for overwhelming infection. The risk is especially high between the age of three months and five years. Infection during these early years has been the main cause of death among children with sickle cell anemia. In the past, as many as 40 percent of children with these infections have died. However, this no longer has to be the case.

Prompt screening and treatment

Prompt screening and treatment

The power of penicillin

Prompt screening is the first step. All babies in Virginia are screened at birth before they leave the hospital to determine if they have sickle cell disease. Daily treatment with penicillin is the second step. Babies with sickle cell anemia have responded very well to daily treatment with penicillin. The penicillin, given every day by mouth, can reduce the risk of infection by as much as 84 percent.

Bone marrow transplants

Bone marrow transplants

Remarkable resuilts

Another promising advancement in recent years has been bone marrow transplants. A carefully matched bone marrow donor is required. The procedure can also require a lengthy hospitalization. As with all medical procedures, certain risks are inevitably present. However, in a large percentage of cases, bone marrow transplants have completely freed the recipient of sickle cell disease.

Get in Touch

We'd love to hear from you!

Find us at the office

>> Our office is located at 250 Chatham Heights Road, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22405
>> We are open by appointment on Mondays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Use the contact form

>> Use the contact form to send us a brief question or message
>> We will get back to you as soon as we can

Come to our monthly meeting

>> Regular meetings of the association are held at the FASCA office at 7:30 p.m. on the fourth Monday of each month, except not during August, November, or December
>> Membership is open to anyone who makes a donation of $2 or more per year

Give us a ring

>> Call us at 540.371.2923 (leave a message if no one is available to answer)

Send us a message

>> Our email address is fasca3275@gmail.com
>> Our postal address is PO Box 3275, Fredericksburg VA 22402

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