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What is Sickle Cell Anaemia?

The disorder affects the red blood cells which contain a special protein called haemoglobin (Hb for short). The function of haemoglobin is to carry oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body.
People with Sickle Cell Anaemia have Sickle haemoglobin (HbS) which is different from the normal haemoglobin (HbA). When sickle haemoglobin gives up its oxygen to the tissues, it sticks together to form long rods inside the red blood cells making these cells rigid and sickle-shaped. Normal red blood cells can bend and flex easily.

Because of their shape, sickled red blood cells can't squeeze through small blood vessels as easily as the almost donut-shaped normal cells. This can lead to these small blood vessels getting blocked which then stops the oxygen from getting through to where it is needed. This in turn can lead to severe pain and damage to organs.

Everyone has two copies of the gene for haemoglobin; one from their mother and one from their father. If one of these genes carries the instructions to make sickle haemoglobin (HbS) and the other carries the instructions to make normal haemoglobin (HbA) then the person has Sickle Cell Trait and is a carrier of the sickle haemoglobin gene. This means that this person has enough normal haemoglobin in their red blood cells to keep the cells flexible and they don't have the symptoms of the sickle cell disorders. They do however have to be careful when doing things where there is less oxygen than normal such as scuba diving, activities at high altitude and under general anaesthetics.

If both copies of the haemoglobin gene carry instructions to make sickle haemoglobin then this will be the only type of haemoglobin they can make and sickled cells can occur. These people have Sickle Cell Anaemia and can suffer from anaemia and severe pain. These severe attacks are known as Crises. Over time Sickle Cell sufferers can experience damage to organs such as liver, kidney, lungs, heart and spleen. Death can be a result.

Another problem is that red blood cells containing sickle haemoglobin do not live as long as the normal 120 days and this results in a chronic state of anaemia. In spite of this, a person with sickle cell disorder can attend school, college and work. People with sickle cell disorder need regular medical attention particularly before and after operations, dental extraction and during pregnancy. Many hospitals arrange follow-up appointments and it is advisable to discuss with the doctors questions concerning schooling, strenuous exercise, family planning, suitable types of employment and air travel. When a person is found to have a sickle cell disorder it is important that all members of the family be tested. They will not necessarily have sickle cell disorder but may be healthy carriers of a sickle cell trait.

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Consultants

Don Heil, Director of Finance:

Don currently serves as Chief Financial Officer of The Acumen Group, Inc. and as a Consultant for Jack Rome, Jr. & Associates, Inc., a subsidiary of The Acumen Group, Inc. He is a seasoned consultant with experience in all facets of business operations, accounting and finance. He specializes in helping organizations develop strategies to improve their financial performance and bottom line profitability. Don has over 24 years of practical experience in the manufacturing & distribution, construction and restaurant industries as a CPA and as Chief Financial Officer.

With a background in cash management, operations analysis, computer conversions, corporate acquisitions, financial reporting and accounting systems design, he helps organizations visualize the big picture and analyze the overall impact of their business decisions. Don has worked with start-up businesses, businesses in need of turnaround and successful businesses looking for continued improvement. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Louisiana State University and is a member of the Louisiana CPA Society.

Mike Higgins, VP Business Development:

Mike currently serves as Managing Partner of Acumen Performance, LLC, a subsidiary of The Acumen Group, Inc. He is an experienced marketing consultant specializing in helping businesses grow their companies through strategic and tactical marketing. Before starting his own marketing consulting firm, Mike brings over 20 years experience in sales and marketing management in the industrial, specialty construction, retail, health care administration and recreation industries

With a background in strategic business planning, marketing research, national account development, promotional planning, marketing audits, sales management, and structuring channels of distribution, Mike provides a tactical approach to maximize his clients’ sales and marketing opportunities. He provides Sales and Marketing Models, Management of Tactical Sales Plans, Lead Tracking/Customer Identification, Compensation Plan Development, and Marketing Information Systems. Mike is a graduate Southeastern Louisiana University with a B.A. in Marketing and obtained his M.B.A. in Management and Finance at Southeastern Louisiana University with Honors. He is also a Certified Business Finance Consultant.

Michael Slaughter, VP Operations:

Michael currently serves as Vice President/Senior Consultant of Jack Rome, Jr. & Associates, Inc., a subsidiary of The Acumen Group, Inc. As a seasoned consultant, he specializes in assessing organizational climates and developing customized business models for both new and existing business ventures. Before joining Jack Rome, Jr. & Associates, Inc., Michael attained over 10 years of practical experience in the financial services, property and casualty insurance, training and development and management consulting industries.

With a background in strategy development and planning, organizational assessment, work process redesign and documentation, and special project management, he helps organizations assess, identify, design and implement their business strategies. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Bentley College in Waltham, MA and obtained his M.B.A. in Organizational Behavior and Operations Management at Bentley College.

Victoria Firor, Marketing Research & Planning:

Victoria currently serves as a Consultant for Acumen Performance, LLC, a subsidiary of The Acumen Group, Inc. She is an experienced marketing and research consultant specializing in helping businesses identify and develop strategic and tactical marketing plans. Before joining Acumen Performance, LLC, Victoria brings over 6 years experience in sales and marketing management and project management in the industrial sales and IT web development industries.

Victoria has provided high-level research for multiple large projects, spearheaded extensive organizational and scheduling initiatives and has designed and developed training manuals and multi-media presentations. Victoria received her Bachelors of Science in Management and Marketing and her M.B.A. at Union University in Jackson, TN.

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