Hope and Destiny: The Patient and Parent's Guide to Sickle Cell Disease and Sickle Cell Trait

For the more than 80,000 Americans diagnosed with sickle cell disease, Hope & Destiny provides clear-cut and in-depth information on living with the illness. It offers the latest information on preventing complications, research, and treatment. The knowledge patients and family members need is organized in an easy-to-read format that promotes overall healthy living.

Allan Platt, PA-C graduated with a BS in Health Systems Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1977, a BS in Medical Science from the Emory University School of Medicine, Physician Assistant program in 1979, and a MMSc in Career Physician Assistant from Emory in 2006. From 1984 until 2004 he was Program Coordinator, and Physician Assistant at the Georgia Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center at Grady Health System, the world's first dedicated 24 hour emergency center for sickle cell patients. Allan is co-inventor of the MPS - Multidimensional Pain Score. The MPS is a new documentation tool for patients and clinicians to communicate about pain. He is co-author of Overcoming Pain from Hilton Publishing published in September 2006 and author of Evidence Based Medicine for PDAs: A Guide for Practice Published by Bartlett and Jones March 2008.

Dr. James Eckman is Professor of Hematology and Medical Oncology at the Winship Cancer Institute and holds appointments as Professor of Medicine and Adjunct Professor of Pediatrics in Medical Genetics at Emory University School of Medicine. He received his medical training and was appointed to the faculty of University of Minnesota Medical School before being recruited to Emory in 1978. He was committed to establishing a sickle cell program at Grady Memorial Hospital, and after intensive state lobbying for funding in 1984, became Medical Director of the world's first 24-hour comprehensive acute care sickle cell center. Listed as one of America's "Top Doctors” by Castle Connolly Medical Ltd., Dr. Eckman's dedication to public health delivery of medical services, research and the study of blood disorders has garnered him widespread recognition and honors.

Dr. Lewis Hsu is a pediatric hematologist and clinician-scientist, with a career focus on sickle cell disease. He recently joined Children's National Medical Center as director of one of the largest pediatric sickle cell programs in the country. He has been busy building a regional collaborative approach to clinical care, research, advocacy, and education.