For people with sickle cell disease (SCD), ongoing blood transfusions are a common part of managing their health. Over time, these transfusions can lead to iron overload, which, together with the effects of SCD itself, can damage organs such as the liver and kidneys. As a result, many individuals with SCD face an increased risk of developing chronic liver or kidney disease. In some cases, organ transplantation becomes a necessary treatment option.
Dr. Franklin Njoku, a physician in the Comprehensive Sickle Cell Program at UI Health, addressed concerns about transplant safety for this patient group: “These transplants are as safe and effective for sickle cell patients as they are for anyone else,” said Dr. Njoku. “The key is having a team of experts who understand SCD, who can identify the right patients, and who are willing to challenge outdated assumptions.”
Traditionally, transplant programs have required patients to resolve the underlying cause of their organ failure before being considered for transplantation. For example, those with alcohol-related liver disease must stop drinking before qualifying for a new organ. This approach has presented unique challenges for people with SCD because they cannot cure their condition before receiving an organ transplant but also cannot pursue curative treatments without healthy organs.
“We recognized that this kind of reasoning created an impossible barrier,” Dr. Njoku explains. “At UI Health, we decided to change that. By working closely with our UI Health Transplant team, we’ve created a pathway for sickle cell patients to access the lifesaving transplants they need.”
UI Health’s experience in both transplantation and SCD care positions its teams as leaders in providing liver and kidney transplants to patients living with sickle cell disease (https://hospital.uillinois.edu/transplant). The collaborative approach between specialists ensures that these patients have continued access to essential care.
After successful transplantation at UI Health (https://hospital.uillinois.edu/primary-and-specialty-care/sickle-cell-center), many recipients become eligible for additional treatment options—including bone marrow transplants—which may offer curative potential.
“My hope is that one day, liver and kidney transplants for sickle cell patients become routine across the country,” Dr. Njoku said. “At UI Health, we’re proving that it’s possible — and we’re committed to making this care accessible to the patients who need it most.”
“We believe every patient deserves the chance at long-term health,” he added. “We’re working every day to make that a reality for people living with sickle cell disease.”
More information about UI Health’s Comprehensive Sickle Cell Program and available treatment options can be found on their website (https://hospital.uillinois.edu/primary-and-specialty-care/sickle-cell-center).
