Groundbreaking sickle cell fitness program pioneers new way to treat disease

A sickle cell disease center is leading the way in treatment with a new, innovative approach to caring for those with the illness. Dr. Sharl Azar, Medical Director of the Comprehensive Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Center at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), hired a medical exercise specialist to work with their patients on fitness programs that will help improve their lives. "One of the parts of the lore of this disease has been patients living with sickle cell disease can't exercise or they shouldn't, because exercising can exacerbate symptoms of their disease," Azar told ABC News.