
Watch a preview of the program now:
Blood is the fluid of life - it transports oxygen, delivers nourishment, and fights infection. It also regulates body temperature, heals wounds and stops bleeding. The average adult has five liters of blood circulating throughout their body. Scientists estimate that it takes about 30 seconds for a drop of blood to complete the entire circulatory cycle. Blood is our life support and with just a small drop: a large window can be opened into how our body is working - and not working.
In May, ideastream in collaboration with NetWellness and WKYC Channel 3 News will launch About Blood, a multiple media exploration of blood. This special coverage will examine the anatomy of blood: what exactly is it and what does it do? We’ll also explore how doctor’s use blood to learn what’s going on inside our bodies. Coverage will also examine various blood diseases including Leukemia and sickle cell anemia and explain blood-based disorders like clotting.
Chapter 1: Introduction to Arthur Brown and Sickle Cell Anemia
Meet 25-year old Arthur Brown, explore the anatomy of blood, and learn what causes sickle cell anemia.
Chapter 2: Genetics and Growing Up with Sickle Cell Anemia
This segment explains the genetic abnormality in sickle cell anemia as a product of evolution to help protect people against malaria. It lets couples know the importance of testing to determine if they are at risk for having babies with the abnormality, as well as highlights the hardships children face growing up with the disease.
Chapter 3: Treatment and Arthur Brown's Struggles
Learn what's been done to help more babies survive into adulthood and to lessen symptoms such as pain attacks and strokes. Witness how Arthur Brown faced more than one brush with death due to such complications.
Chapter 4: Barriers and Conclusion
Explore problems with funding and the system to deliver care for young adults with sickle cell anemia and learn why Arthur Brown calls the disease both a curse and a gift.
Entire Program: View in High-Definition (HD)
View the entire About Blood program in high-definition.
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Be Well
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With just a drop of blood, a large window can be opened into how our body is working.
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The need for information about health has never been greater. ideastream is responding to this need by undertaking an ongoing health programming initiative. To inform this effort, ideastream invited health professionals in the region to participate in a series of discussions between June 9-18, 2009, about the local health assets and challenges.
Read the report about these meetings.
Funding for the coverage of health topics comes from the Dr. Donald J. Goodman and Ruth Weber Goodman Philanthropic Fund of The Cleveland Foundation; The Community Foundation of Lorain County; The Margaret Clark Morgan Foundation; The McGregor Foundation; and The Woodruff Foundation.