One of the great contributors to chemistry and associated research is undoubtedly Linus Pauling. He had a great interest throughout his career in various chemicals and their relation to structure. He also was heavily involved in bilogical chemicals around the mid-1930′s and did much of the research associated with discovering sickle cell anemia. Today, the blood disease is still around and incurable. Like many blood diseases, there are treatments available for sickle cell. Sickle cell is most predominant among African Americans going by percentage of population affected. You may even recognize some of these celebrities who have publicly discussed having sickle cell anemia.
1.) Larenz Tate- Mr. Tate is a hollywood actor who has appeared in such films as Dead Presidents and Menace II Society. In 2007, Mr. Tate released videos associating Black History Month with sickle cell anemia in order to provide awareness to the black community. He continues to act in hollywood, most recently on the televisions series Justified and Rescue Me.
2.) Miles Davis- Mr. Davis is perhaps the greatest jazz musician who has ever lived. The amazing trumpet player learned of his affliction with sickle cell in 1961. Despite the nature of the disease to make the afflicted feel ill, he was able to record music until about the mid-1970′s as well as conduct various tours in support of albums,
3.) Prodigy- A rapper for the group Mobb Deep, Prodigy has openly rapped about the disease since the earliest Mobb Deep records. He provides awareness of sickle cell not only in his records, but also by going into the community and raising awareness of the disease.
