Oldest Person with Sickle Cell is 86

Ernestine Diamond is an eighty-three-year-old woman who may be one of the oldest American living with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). She is an advocate of the disease which affects millions throughout the world and is particularly common among people with ancestors in sub-Saharan Africa, Saudi Arabia, India, and Mediterranean countries such as Turkey, Greece, and Italy and Spanish-speaking regions of South America, Cuba, and Central America.

In the United States, Sickle Cell Disease affects more than seventy-two thousand people and about two million Americans carry the trait for SCD, a life threatening disease that creates unimaginable pain and suffering. Support is probably the most important factor in the life of the patient.

S.C.A.T.T. (Sickle Cell Action Through Technology) is geared towards helping to supplement the needs of patients who find themselves facing insurmountable health as well as financial challenges. Patients from around the country call for advice, or a word of encouragement.

Ms. Diamond is 86 years old!!! She is a wonderful, inspirational warrior, and she says the secret to her old age is her faith and belief in God and his blessings. If you would like to connect with Ernestine, you can email her at contactmenow@gmail.com. So have faith, my strong warriors, break that glass ceiling! You can live to be an Octogenarian too!


Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2010 on the Blog. But it can never be retold too many times.

Posted in

SC Warrior

51 Comments

  1. Karen Wallace on June 2, 2010 at 8:32 pm

    Thank you for this website. Our Family deals with sickle cell daily. My Aunt Gazel wise just past away this May 31. 2010 at the age of 82 with sickle cell in Phila. PA. She lived a good life and people couldn’t believe she had the desease. Alot of hospital stays but she was a True Warrior until the End. Her service is June 11, 2010. We have more family members with sickle cell who got strength from Aunt Gazel.
    Thank you again. Karen



  2. Bern4Joy on July 14, 2010 at 6:01 pm

    I would also like to thank you for this website, I gives me hope!



  3. irene on September 3, 2010 at 3:30 pm

    I thank you for this site. My boyfriend and future husband has Sickle Cell Disease. We’ve known each other for a while but never dated. I am so in love with him and want to know how to properly support him through SCD. Again, your site gives me hope and with God, I know we will be just fine.



  4. Kemmy on September 27, 2011 at 12:46 am

    I am happy i found this website. Maybe it will console me and meet my concerns regarding my little gurl who was diagnosed with SCD. I have a lot of questions in my mind but her doctor could barely answer any of them. I have faith in God and believe that from Him we come and to Him we will return. What other things can help sustain the life of a SCD patient? Can they successfully have kids of their own? How can we medically help their health (Oxygen administration or blood transfusion). Im curious. I need an answer. please.



  5. Kemmy on September 27, 2011 at 12:48 am

    I am happy i found this website. Maybe it will console me and meet my concerns regarding my little gurl who was diagnosed with SCD. I have a lot of questions in my mind but her doctor could barely answer any of them. I have faith in God and believe that from Him we come and to Him we will return. What other things can help sustain the life of a SCD patient? Can they successfully have kids of their own? How can we medically help their health (Oxygen administration or blood transfusion). Im curious. I need an answer. please! please!! please!!!.



  6. Phillygirl on October 3, 2011 at 7:56 am

    Hi Kemmy,
    I must agree with you, this is a WONDERFUL website. I’m just sorry I didn’t have a forum like this years ago when my daughter was diagnosed with Sickle Cell.
    I have a 23 year old daughter with sickle cell. In the beginning it can be so scary. You don’t know exactly what to do to help your child, what to allow them to do and what they shouldn’t do. Me and my husband were devasted in the beginning but learned very quickly how to take care of our precious daughter. She is doing extremely well. She’s a senior in college, soon to be mother, and a well rounded young woman. I am so very proud of her.
    Allow your daughter to strive, to do ALL she can do, don’t put limitations on her. Know that GOD will guide you and watch over your daughter.



  7. diana on October 5, 2011 at 10:19 pm

    I have been mrried to a man with sicklecell for 22 years, so keep hope that. Your littlegirl can live a good long life. Make sure to keep up with herblood counts, oxygen can keep a crisis from being severe, if she needs blood transfusion accept it, she can have children my sisterinlaw had 2, but did not take care of herself shepasses at 38, my hubby is doing goodhe is forty eight, teach ur daughter that she can still go to college andbewhatshe wants.



  8. Perdue'87 on January 30, 2012 at 12:31 pm

    i am a young teen and i have two people in my family who has scd it is extremely scary to sit there and watch the people you love sit there in pain but i came to this website and learned more about it

    my uncle has been fighting this disease scence birth now he is 63 and still in good health im so proud of him



  9. Rochelle on February 15, 2012 at 9:17 pm

    Hi Kemmy, I’m a 24 year old living with sickle cell disease.
    I’m in and out of the hospital and I just don’t know what else I can do
    At this point but continue taking my meds. What can I do to take control of this disease
    Instead of have it in control of me!!!



  10. Michelle on May 21, 2012 at 11:02 pm

    My boyfriend and I have been together most 2 years. We have known each other for many years. We are trying to have a child he has SCD. What could we do to make that happen? Is there any males that have SCD that have children or does someone knows a male that has childish? Looking for hope.This website is a blessing!



  11. lavaughn moyston on May 24, 2012 at 4:19 pm

    Prayer is the answer to the impossible and to the odds . My child I have been through it all and god pulled me through , he has done it he can do it again and the great god almight will do it for you . I’m praying for your child n I will also let my church family know and we will pray because nothing beats jesus.



  12. Brenda Anderson on July 22, 2012 at 2:13 pm

    This is so amazing! You are truly a blessing to all who is surviving with sickle cell anemia. My son pass away in 2009 at the age of 30 from complication of sickle cell amenia. He had a very servere case of sickle cell. God allow him to graduate college with dual degrees. He was Medical Lab Tech at one of our local hospital until his homegoing. I started a foundation in his name to assist family in whatever area we can. It is the KEDRICK DEWAYNE STITH FOUNDATION. It would give me great pleasure to meet you one day. We are in Shreveport, LA. We have picnics, blood drives, 5K runs every year. We are growing. If you have any ideas that would help make us a success please feel free to let me know.
    God bless you!

    Thanks
    Brenda Anderson/Director
    KEDRICK DEWAYNE STITH FOUNDATION
    “Winning The Fight Over Sickle Cell”



  13. Helena Barrington on October 11, 2012 at 2:20 pm

    This is a fabulous and absolutely necessary web site. I am 64 years old and living with the ravishes of SCD. I wish this information and forum had been available in my childhood, but very little was known about the disease at the time, and computers, the Internet, information superhighway, etc., were all just dreams in the hearts of unborn geniuses – LOLOLOL!

    I am married to the most supportive, sensitive and loving man (40 years!); we have two children, seven grandchildren, and one phenomenal great grandchild. My son, who is the eldest, has the trait, but none of the grands/great grand have anything related to Sickle Cell Disease!!! HALLELUJAH!! I have had and continue to have a good life — maybe some would say a great life — and God has been able to use my life for His glory, in spite of the many vicious things this disease has taken me through, and for this too, I honor Him! If I can help some else in any way, I will.

    May God bless you richly for following your heart in providing this web site.

    Dr. Helena Barrington



  14. Helena Barrington on October 12, 2012 at 11:58 am

    Sorry for that double send — I didn’t know the first one had sent, so I tried to remember what I wrote! Thanks for this opportunity.



  15. DIANNE on January 2, 2013 at 4:12 pm

    hi good night just want to find out if these people with this disease had ulcers on their feet? And how did they cope with it?



  16. DIANNE on January 7, 2013 at 11:34 am

    hi my name is dianne and my husband has sickle cell, he lives with plenty pain day and night sometimes i don’t know how to help him .He had a brother that had the disease but he passed away at the age of 40, so that became a big issue for him (he has in his mind that he will die at that same age). I don’t know how to help him and on top of that he’s suffering every day because he has ulcers on his both foot. What can i do to help him or make things easier for him, i’m glad that i came across this site so that i could at lest have some comfort knowing that there are people that living long life



  17. lowayna on March 26, 2013 at 2:41 pm

    very inspirational! Im 26 with a lot of complications already and i always think will i live past 50. Reading all these stories gives me alot of hope. Thanks for sharing everyone.



  18. Bernard Reed on April 17, 2013 at 3:21 pm

    I have a sister-in-law who has been dealing with this disease and through the years it has destroyed her liver.She is now on the list for liver transplant.Does anyone have ideas or resources to offset the expenses.Any input would be greatly appreciated.



  19. rachel on April 18, 2013 at 4:36 pm

    Hi My name is I have sickle Cell Hemoglobin S. I was wondering if anyone out there can tell me how long they have been diagnosed with the condition? What is your pain level and how do you deal with stress and what are some of the symptoms that exacerbate your stress?



  20. Candy on April 18, 2013 at 11:13 pm

    I am a mother of two child with sickle cell disease. My oldest is 29 (male) and my other child is 20 (female). I have lived in the hospital between them two. I learn how to pray…cry…be weak…be revived…be thankful… And be there for my children. I must say, it is discouraging to hear the life expectancy of sickle cell individuals. But I went on a quest. I learnt that ginger is so beneficial to those who suffer from sickle cell complications. You prepare ginger as a tea. You cut the skin off the ginger…slice it in to pieces to crush them in a sandwich bag…then boil them. Drain and drink as a tea. What ginger is good for is improving you immune system to fight off infection. And it has a host of other beneficial properties, like making you veins more elasticity which prevent the blockage of cells or reduce the blockage. Another thing I found out is that ginger is a natural clot dissolver. I gave this remedy to my children. One uses it and one doesn’t. The one that uses it does have much crisis as the one that doesn’t. Another benefit for one to use is cayenne pepper. Both natural ingredient (ginger and cayenne pepper) are God give. Research it and use it. God bless each and everyone of you. I love you. In Jesus holy name…Amen.



  21. Candy on April 18, 2013 at 11:19 pm

    I am a mother of two child with sickle cell disease. My oldest is 29 (male) and my middle child is 20 (female). I have visited the hospital a lot between them two. I learned how to pray…cry…be weak…be revived…be thankful… And be there for my children. I must say, it is discouraging to hear the life expectancy of sickle cell individuals. But I went on a quest. I learnt that ginger is so beneficial to those who suffer from sickle cell complications. You prepare ginger as a tea. You cut the skin off the ginger…slice it in to pieces to crush them in a sandwich bag…then boil them. Drain and drink as a tea. What ginger is good for is it improves your immune system to fight off infections. And it has a host of other beneficial properties, like making you veins more elasticity which prevent the blockage of cells or reduce the blockage. Another thing I found out is that ginger is a natural clot dissolver. I gave this remedy to my children. One uses it and one doesn’t. The one that uses it doesn’t have much crisis as the one that doesn’t use the remedy. Another benefit for one to use is cayenne pepper. Both natural ingredient (ginger and cayenne pepper) are God given. Research it and use it. God bless each and everyone of you. I love you. In Jesus holy name…Amen.



  22. My Dad Is A Warrior on June 19, 2013 at 4:05 pm

    I am a daughter a of a sickle cell patient. Except not only does he have sickle cell but has, skin cancer, his lungs don’t work properly, he convulses , broken hip that cannot be operated due to all the things he has… He has always been a strong man. Never asked God why he gave him all of this… And I think I’m proud of having a father this strong this website motivated me to talk about my father because my father was told he was only going to live until his 12 and he is passing through a really hard time now being 60 . I’m A Proud Daughter Of Sickle Cell Patient. I am only 16 🙂



  23. home boy on November 27, 2013 at 10:19 am

    Hey. I’m a 28 year old leaving wit sickle cell disease. I have many upon many visit 2 hospital. The pain I does have some time is so great I does wish 2 die. Well I accept the lard as my personal saviour n 2day I’m in hospital cus I have 2 do an surgery to remove my gall bladder n I give thanks cus I know that he will carry me through. I now trust in god for every thing n for long life n health. God is good n he can do wat we believe is impossible
    .



  24. cmjlewis82 on December 2, 2013 at 2:40 pm

    I am a 31yr old female with SCD. i have lived a very great life. I am married and have a daughter with the SC Trait. Just because you have SCD doesn’t mean you cant live a great life. Do as the doctors advise and what you can do on your own. My friend has SCD as well, she doesnt take the meds as prescribed and is going through a very tough time right now. Although i stay on her to do better, it is up to her to do the work that is needed. She also has a child with SCD as well and does the best for him. So it is very possible to live a very long and prosperious life if you choose to do so. My mother was told when i was a child that i wouldnt live past the age 18, but by the grace of God i am still here, and will be until he see’s fit for me to come home. Keep your head up and stay strong.



  25. Penny on January 25, 2014 at 3:47 am

    First I would like to say that this article is a blessing from God! I recently married seven months ago. My husband has SCD and one of his sisters. He’s had a rough time this past year, however I encouraged him to trust God in this! People and some of our family members questioned me as to why I married him, knowing he had SCD? My reply was simple….I love him unconditionally, he didn’t ask to be born with sickle cell disease! I love every part of him and it’s no longer just his fight….it’s OURS! Through faith, I believe God is going to perform a miracle for the world to see and his glory will be revealed! My husband fathers two children and his sister has two children as well. God is constantly proving himself and showing himself mighty! Since we’ve been married, my husband’s faith has increased, he’s accepted his calling into the ministry and is moving forward…not looking back! He’s suffered with the recurring foot ulcers as well. The only thing that we found that takes care of that is a prescribed medicine called Trental. It healed pretty fast when he took it like he was supposed to. He complained about not liking the way it made him feel for the first week or two. However, God has been very gracious to us! Know that all things are possible with God, if only you believe! He promised life and life more abundantly and we’re not settling for anything less than that! I would like to know exactly what Ms. Ernestine and others around her age has done to help aid in longevity? God bless you and thanks to all of you for sharing your stories!



  26. JJ's mommy on March 20, 2014 at 12:11 pm

    I am a mother of a two year old son with scd. Thank you to Candy and the others who posted natural remedies. May God grant you all health, strength and increasing hope in him that will sustain you in Jesus name amen. I have been giving my son an all-natural supplement called Hemoxide. I was also told that someone from my church gives her granddaughter who has scd wheat grass juice and she claims that it was the only thing that actually helped . So I have also been giving my son a wheatgrass juice supplement that comes frozen in the mail. Wheat grass juice is supposed to be excellent for anyone. has anyone heard about this and tried either one?



  27. Andrea on June 6, 2014 at 6:17 am

    Am a 28 yr old living scd, pls how can I deal with the yellow eye discoloration , and does bone marrow transplant really work



  28. Emmanuel on December 17, 2014 at 10:02 pm

    Hello my name is Emmanuel I’m 27 I have a beautiful wife which I can’t leave without and two kids camden and leah. I have sc and Im just so thankful that I’ve made it this far. I don’t ever want my wife to have to go through losing me nor my children. I know that my wife is strong and I know in my heart that GOD makes no mistakes! I’m just so thankful each and everyday I’m here! I couldn’t ask for anything better than this life surrounded by a beautiful family, loving sister and niece! Thanks for the encouraging site!



  29. nana on January 23, 2015 at 5:27 pm

    I am a 39 yr old woman and I have been in out of hospital. Idont really take any medication right now but am being very careful of how I do things its been 5 yrs I haven’t been to the hospital and I thank god every day for life.



  30. Mrs. Faithful on March 12, 2015 at 2:53 pm

    The Lord is good. My husband has sickle cell his strength strengthens me in life. He had a brain aneurysm formation but because he had mri’s ct’s and angiograms done the doctors detected it in time and were able to do surgery before it ruptured. During surgery he had complications he suffered seizures and silent strokes. His vision in his right eye is damaged. He had to learn to walk and many other things all over again. Five years ago he had to have another brain surgery to fix some issues from the first surgery. Through all of his trials he has always managed to stay cheerful and strong. He gets blood transfusions every three weeks. He hasn’t had pain crisis in so many years that he can’t remember. He is down to only 3 medications. He works full time. We are looking to buy a home. We enjoy all the days we have together. I am a thalassemia carrier so I knew the risk of having children before hand but we stepped out on faith and we have a beautiful healthy 2yr old son. I love my husband and we are so blessed. We have been friends since youth and I just wanted to share part of our story because we are 23yrs old been together for five yrs married for 3 and I know some days get hard and seem never ending but don’t lose faith and keep going forward. Live your life be happy….smile…God is able. The wonderful thing about going through things in life is that you are “going through” so you will come out victorious in the end. Prayer still works so I will hold up all the families and people that are continuously fighting the good fight of faith. May the Lord continue to bless us all.



  31. nana on March 19, 2015 at 1:26 am

    am a sc patient, i turned 28 yesterday, am african n live in African. going up as a kid, i was always in and out the hospital but ever since i got to understand how i am, i have been ok. 3years now, not had a crisis n i dnt take medications, i always make sure i prevent whatever wud make me sick. i thank God for my family,they are loving, under stand and supportive. God has really been good.



  32. Ola on April 7, 2015 at 8:22 am

    Tosin thanks so much I now know how to explain the chances of having a child with sickle cell to others.It is a 25% or 50% chance depending on their genotype,that resets with every pregnancy,RESET being the key word.



  33. Dan on April 28, 2015 at 2:22 am

    Hi, I have been living with SCD for 52 yrs, I have 2 daughters and an awesome support team. I have stage 5 kidney disease and in the process of getting a transplant with a bone marrow from my brother which is a perfect match. I live a stress-free life, I am a part-time worker. I get blood transfusion every 6-8 weeks, don’t have any crises. I contribute my crises free due to eating healthy, take my folic acid, and drinking at least 64 oz. of water daily. If I drink a soda every now and again it is ginger ale. These testimony are GOD blessings on our life. Great faith, praying saints and a being a believer have sustained me. Having a praying family put the icing on the cake for me. Stay encourage.



  34. Eddie on August 5, 2015 at 7:02 pm

    I have been living with sc disease for 55 years, I attribute longevity to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I exercise and try to eat right and gave a Fitbit to keep up with my fluid intake, I average at least 60 fl oz a day mostly water and a protein shake. I have have a few crisis this year and when I look back my fluid intake was low. Not saying that is the only factor, but please stay hydrated.



  35. Robin on September 1, 2015 at 1:49 pm

    It is a blessing to hear success stories about such an awful illness. I am a believer in Jesus. I know he is our keeper, but to many times we want His blessings without being obedient. Thank you for sharing. The word tells us obedience is better than sacrifice



  36. Help on September 15, 2015 at 7:42 pm

    My girlfriend has SCD.
    I want a future with her but she doesn’t see it feasible,saying she knows none that lived above 40.
    This lifted my heart so much.
    Thank you.
    Now to lift hers and give her faith and hope.



  37. Dimplez on September 16, 2015 at 1:11 pm

    Hi my name is Daphne. I am 44,years old and I live with SCD. I have 2 beautiful children but thank God they don’t have this disease. I have read some of the comments and I just want to encourage all if us. We can fight and live long and healthy lives if we just follow our doctors treatment. Where I’m from all lot if sickle cell patients get addicted to the pain medication and take it wring which I believe shortens their lives. We must adhere to the treatment that our doctos provide for us. Warrior thank you so much for all that you teach and do for the sickle cell community.



  38. Baby be on September 22, 2015 at 4:25 pm

    I have sickle cell thi bata too type it been hard but by the grace of god I all things are good iam 63 it’s not a good night but I go to the doctor tomorrow and I know he gonna put me in the hospital just got out in for3week so pray for me and I for you OK love you people .



  39. Amol on October 21, 2015 at 8:18 am

    my girlfriend have a SS Scitkel cell. ..I don’t know the fully info of SCD that’s why my family is against the marrage. but I love my gf very much plz help me the sout out the problem ….I never dum my gf …I love u sooo much …



  40. Bobby Womack on March 14, 2016 at 8:36 pm

    65 with full sickle cell anemia, KIK, 913-626-9891



  41. alice on March 26, 2016 at 2:29 pm

    Hi, i am very delighted to discover this page. I am an 45 old lady living with the scd, i have 2 healthy children and live well, i also manage my disease well



  42. booga on April 29, 2016 at 11:50 am

    Congratulations to the men and women that have lived over the age of 50 with a disease that usually kills early. It takes a warrior to spit in the face of death. 😀



  43. cecilia on May 25, 2016 at 1:30 am

    Helo am cecilia,stay in nigeria and am 24yrs with scd. God has being wonderful and i bliv him for more years



  44. Mona on August 27, 2016 at 5:08 pm

    I am 58 yrs. old and will be 59 in a few weeks if it’s the Lord’s will. I was just released from the hospital two days ago with a crisis. I my son doesn’t have the disease and neither do my granddaughters. I’m retired but still work and would like to continue until I turn 62yrs. Old. I don’t know how many years I have left on this earth but I thank God daily for keeping me here. I haven’t had a cris in 6 1/2 yrs. until last week and pray it be many years before I have another. I am not afraid to die . I just don’t want to suffer. Thanking God for my life regardless.



  45. Joanna on January 2, 2017 at 4:56 am

    Jesus is always available he will see you through.



  46. reene on January 12, 2017 at 3:37 pm

    Your comment
    Am irene and my daughter is 3yrs old am trusting God and believing in him for a great miracle for my strong sickle cell daughter Amen



  47. Bridgette on February 13, 2017 at 10:50 am

    Hello….my name is Bridgette and I am 36 years old living with scd…I had a twin sister also with scd but she passed when we were 25yrs old. I just want to say that God may have taken some of us early, my twin sis included, but God is good to continually guide our steps where he places us in situations that help prolong life. In my situation, I get red cell exchange every 3 weeks which I am grateful to be getting and it may not be a perfect procedure but it has help me get back to life out of the hospital and without so much pain.



  48. Meika on March 15, 2017 at 6:55 pm

    My name is Shameika. I am 39 years old n will be 40 years old August 2017. I have Sickle Cell Beta Thai plus. God has bless me beyond measure. The Dr told my mom that I will not live past 30. I have a college degree and I taught pre-k for about 8 years be for I became disabled. God bless me to have a son,and he does not have scd.



  49. Lecks Day on April 22, 2017 at 6:15 am

    I am Alex from Ghana.Will be 40 in some few days time. May God keep and strengthen all people living with SCD, myself included.



  50. Eni on November 25, 2017 at 2:10 am

    Tears can’t stop rolling down my face after hearing my boyfriend telling me he love me while laying down the hospital bed oh lord I can’t bare him suffering like this saying those words hurt me cuz it’s saying it like as if his going to die soon but I trust God and believe no harm is gonna come near my baby.
    We have been fighting this disease from birth God his 24yrars now lord let him overcome this disease



  51. chi on February 4, 2018 at 9:24 am

    I am 32, God help provide an easy cure!



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