The VitaminSC3 Podcast is powered by the Sickle Cell Community Consortium. Today's show is brought to you by the Caring is Giving segment with Elle Cole.

During this episode, I spoke with Francine Baker who is a wife, mother, caregiver, and student. In episode 12, Francine spoke with me transparently about the highs and lows of parenting a child with sickle cell disease. Francine has two children who are living with sickle cell disease. Both her son and daughter are now young adults who have gone through the transition process.

Transition is when pediatric patients move for pediatric care to adult care. Sometimes this change means the patient received new doctors and a new team of healthcare professionals. Francine helps moms and dads understand that the role of a parent is not just to be a caregiver, but they should also be an advocate, supporter, listener, and at times a healthcare coordinator. She also spoke about the shift that students who enter college have to take when they are away at school and have to learn a whole new team. Sometimes getting the college team and home healthcare team to communicate with each other can be challenging, but Mrs. Baker shared what works well for her and her daughter to make it a seamless process.

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The next episode of the Vitamin SC3 Podcast drops on Monday

Please tune in next week for a new episode we will hear from the segment Essential RX segment with Dr. Lametra Scott.

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