Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is a genetically inherited disorder in which results in an abnormality of the oxygen carrying protein haemoglobin found in the red blood cells. This abnormality leads to the red blood cells which are usually donut shaped and flexible to become sickle shaped and rigid. This in turn causes the red blood cells to stick together causing blood clots and leading attacks of intense pain called crisis. A sickle cell crises can be triggered by temperature, stress, dehydration and high altitude. Symptoms of a crisis include infection, pain in joints, fatigue, shortness of breath and abnormal breakdown of red blood cells. There are currently 70,000 to 100,000 people in the United States suffering from this disease and unfortunately for them they are not covered by the Federal Medical Leave Act. When a sickle cell patient goes into crisis, they are unable to work and may even be admitted to a hospital for an extended period of time. The lack of coverage from FMLA leaves them vulnerable to termination by their employer which happens quite often. Please join me in the fight to get sickle cell anemia covered by the Federal Medical Leave Act by adding your name to this petition. Together we can change things and get people with sickle cell anemia the coverage they need.