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Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an autosomal reces-sive disorder due to a point mutation in the sixth codon of the β-globin gene. The resultant hemo-globin S (HbS) polymerizes under hypoxic condi-tions and causes rigid, sickled erythrocytes. SCD is characterized by chronic hemolysis and recur-rent vaso-occlusion leading to tissue ischemia and end-organ damage. In the USA, SCD affects one out of every 400 African–American newborns and has an approximate prevalence of 100,000 [1]. The most common morbidity among individu-als with SCD is painful episodes, resulting in an average of 0.8 hospital admissions per year [2]. Acute chest syndrome (ACS) is the second most common morbidity and is a frequent caus