A Greenville clinic leads the way to better health for sickle cell disease patients
- Charles Reams 1
- Nov 13
- 4 min read
The Prisma Health Sickle Cell Lifespan Center in Greenville provides comprehensive care for people living with sickle cell disease (SCD) of all ages—the only clinic in South Carolina built on this “lifespan” model under one roof, says Hematologist Alan Anderson, director of the clinic.
Only a handful of centers worldwide bring pediatric and adult care together in the same space, says Anderson, MD.
He explains that historically, sickle cell programs were separated into pediatric and adult services. The lifespan model reflects the reality that sickle cell disease (SCD) is a lifelong condition requiring continuity, coordinated care, and attention to both medical and social needs. The future holds tremendous promise as new treatments expand, even as the search for universally accessible cures continues, Dr. Anderson said.
Gene Therapy: Transformative but Limited
Two gene therapy approaches—one CRISPR-based editing therapy and one lentiviral gene-addition therapy—recently received FDA approval. These treatments have been life-changing for select patients, enabling many to return to school, work, and their daily activities with an improved quality of life.
However, only a small percentage of people with SCD meet the strict eligibility criteria. Gene therapy requires highly specialized centers, intensive preparation, and—in current FDA-approved approaches—myeloablative chemotherapy to clear the bone marrow before transplanting corrected cells. This process is effective but comes with significant short- and long-term risks.
Fortunately for South Carolinians, gene therapy centers are located within driving distance in Charleston, Charlotte, and Atlanta.
Exciting research is underway to develop non-chemotherapy or lower-toxicity conditioning regimens, which would greatly expand access and reduce risks.
Innovations in Greenville
For the vast majority of patients, the most meaningful improvements come from high-quality, comprehensive care—an approach the Greenville program has helped pioneer, said Dr. Anderson.
At Prisma Health, a full multidisciplinary team—including physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers, psychologists, pharmacists, and care navigators—addresses the needs of the whole person. Medical management is tightly integrated with mental health, social support, organ-specific care, and individualized treatment planning.
This model has been demonstrated to reduce pain episodes, prevent organ damage, and improve long-term survival outcomes.
A Modern Understanding of Sickle Cell Disease
Despite being first described over a century ago, SCD remained poorly understood and underfunded for many decades. In the mid-20th century, scientists identified the abnormal hemoglobin (HbS) responsible for the disease. By the 1980s and 1990s, major research networks emerged, accelerating progress toward today’s medical advances.
Comprehensive care is now the global standard—and it works, Dr. Anderson said. The Greenville center benefits from strong partnerships with community organizations, donors, support groups, and the L.D. Barksdale Sickle Cell Foundation in Spartanburg.
The clinical team includes Dr. Dillon Isaac, a combined internal medicine–pediatrics physician whose expertise spans both childhood and adult complications.
Dr. Anderson notes a welcome trend: an increasing number of Black physicians and trainees are entering the field, helping address a disease that disproportionately affects Black communities.
Misconceptions and Modern Outcomes
Many families still carry outdated beliefs—that sickle cell disease inevitably leads to death in adolescence or early adulthood. Thanks to newborn screening, preventive care, and disease-modifying therapies, most individuals with SCD today live well into adulthood, with far better quality of life than in past generations.
Preventive treatment begins as early as 2–3 months of age, well before symptoms start. With early intervention, many children participate in sports, attend college, and pursue whole careers.
Newborn Screening Saves Lives
All newborns in South Carolina receive a heel-prick blood test between 24 to 48 hours after birth. A few drops of blood are analyzed for more than 58 genetic and metabolic conditions, including sickle cell disease.
If an abnormal result is detected, the infant’s healthcare team is notified immediately, and confirmatory testing follows. Early diagnosis enables the rapid initiation of penicillin prophylaxis, vaccinations, parental education, and close monitoring, dramatically improving outcomes.
Current Standard Treatments
For most patients today, hydroxyurea remains a cornerstone therapy. It increases fetal hemoglobin (HbF), which reduces red blood cell sickling, decreases the intensity and frequency of pain episodes, and protects vital organs.
Other FDA-approved medications include:
• L-glutamine – reduces pain crises
• Voxelotor – improves anemia by increasing hemoglobin’s oxygen affinity
• Crizanlizumab – reduces frequency of vaso-occlusive crises
Several additional therapies are in the FDA pipeline.
These medications do not change sickled cells into normal cells; instead, they reduce the likelihood of sickling, decrease inflammation, improve blood flow, and protect against organ damage.
Risk Factors and Crisis Triggers
Individuals with SCD are encouraged to avoid:
• dehydration
• extreme heat or cold
• high-altitude, low-oxygen environments
• unpressurized flight
• smoking or vaping
• excessive alcohol
• severe physical overexertion
• unmanaged stress or poor sleep
Friends and family who understand these triggers can provide invaluable support during daily life and during crises.
The Power of Local Expertise
Having a nearby dedicated team that understands the complex medical, emotional, and social needs of people living with SCD offers profound reassurance. The Prisma Health Sickle Cell Lifespan Center stands at the center of this care—leading innovation in the state and contributing to advancements across the region and the nation, said Dr. Anderson.
