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Those afflicted with sickle cell disease (SCD) often suffer from end-organ damage as a result of hemolysis and vasoocclusion that are characteristic of this disease. Painful crises occur unpredictably and often require potent opioid narcotics for relief. Ischemia of major organs leads to renal failure, pulmonary hypertension, and stroke. Transfusion therapy is effective but results in alloimmunization and iron overload. Hydroxyurea is beneficial in selected patients, but compliance is often a problem and adverse effects include pancytopenia, decreased sperm counts, and possible teratogenic and carcinogenic effects (JW Oncol Hematol May 6 2008). Although allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation has been successful in pediatric pati…