New sickle cell disease treatment options are enabling more personalized therapies for patients at Ohio State. Sickle cell disease — an inherited blood disorder that causes patients’ cells to take an abnormal shape when blood oxygen levels drop — affects people all over the world, including one in eight African Americans in the U.S. While sickle cell disease can have serious effects, patients can now lead full and active lives thanks in large part to recent advances in treatment, including those administered through the OSUCCC – James’ Sickle Cell Program, which takes a comprehensive approach to care. “With a chronic illness, you really have times in your life that are harder than others,” says Payal Desai, MD, co-director of the program. “They might need mental health support or social work. We also provide, on the in-patient side, things like music and art therapies.”