Page 6 - ABL Thrive Newsletter_Q2 2019

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is one of the most common genetic disorders found in the United States.
While SCD affects people from Hispanic, southern European, Middle Eastern, or Asian Indian
backgrounds, most people with SCD are African Americans:
• About 1 in 13 African American babies is born with sickle cell trait
• About 1 in every 365 black children is born with sickle cell disease
Sickle cell disease is a group of inherited red blood cell disorders that are characterized by crescent
or sickled-shaped red blood cells. These sickled red blood cells have a shorter life span than normal
red blood cells, leading to anemia. Further, these sickle-shaped cells can also stick to vessel walls,
causing a blockage that slows or stops the flow of blood which can cause damage to internal organs
as well as sudden, severe pain episodes.

There are several Quest offerings that support individuals with sickle cell trait/disease through their
lives. One of the key objectives in 2017 was to build links to the Sickle Cell Association of NJ and the
National Sickle Cell Disease Association of America and to build awareness in the SCD community
that Quest Diagnostics is well-positioned to support their health & wellness in a number of different
ways, including:

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• Women’s Health – QHerit Pan-Ethnic Expanded Carrier Screen and Genetic
Testing/Counseling
• General Health and Wellness – Sickle Cell Screening; Routine testing (Blood Count, Chemistries,
Kidney Function, Iron, Infectious Disease detection) and Chronic disease management (i.e.
Diabetes, Hypertension, Organ Disorders)
• Prescription Drug Monitoring – Pain and sickle cell episode management
• Advanced Diagnostics – Bone marrow or stem cell transplants (although risky, these procedures
are the only known cure for SCD) and treatment monitoring (Hydroxyurea, medication dosage for
treatment of symptoms)
• Quest patient tools: MyQuest / Test Minder / Website education pieces

How do you balance your career and family life?
I am a married mother of two children. Throughout my career, I have been blessed to have the benefit
of flexible work options and the shared partnership with my husband to raise our children. That said,
my personal ownership of the business has been, at points, in conflict with the needs of my family.
We did our best to make sure that our children were well-adjusted, intellectually curious and
self-confident. It is my hope that we have been successful in raising children who value hard work,
the bond of family and faith in God.

What’s the most important thing you have learned in the last five years?
To learn how Quest can become the preferred lab for African-Americans, I have researched health
disparities in the African-American community and how Quest Products can be effective in the
management of diseases that impact our population.

ABL members are in a unique position as health ambassadors in our communities. Even as impactful
as ad campaigns, ABL members can credibly share information with friends and family about Quest

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