The Rev. DeWayne McBride, pastor of Grace Temple Ministries in Temple, knows the pain of sickle cell anemia and the lack of understanding of the disease by a large portion of the population.

McBride was diagnosed with sickle cell anemia as a child.

Before the diagnosis, McBride, the youngest of five children, said he would cry because he was in pain and his parents wondered if he was just trying to get attention.

His siblings, McBride said, thought he was faking when he complained.

Medical care, he said, has improved over the years. Medical staff are now trained to recognize the magnitude of the pain the sickle cell patient experiences and medicate accordingly.

“The pain has been compared to that of a terminally ill cancer patient and I can attest to that,” McBride said. “When you go through a sickle cell crisis it’s not like any other pain.”

Some sickle cell patients become addicted to their medications because of the amount of drugs required to alleviate the physical distress of the disease.

Those who go through rehab, he said, have to experience the pain of breaking the addiction and the pain of sickle cell.

Though the sickle cell anemia has had its effect on McBride’s life, he didn’t share his medical history with many because he didn’t want the disease to become a crutch.

“I’ve been blessed by God to be able to accomplish what I have,” he said. “There are many with the disease who haven’t been as fortunate.”

McBride said he was called to the ministry by God and that calling has enabled him to help others with sickle cell.

“I try to be a source of hope and encouragement,” he said.

Before becoming a minister McBride worked in management, but the stress of the job brought on complications of the disease.

There’s no predicting how many times a person with sickle cell will have a crisis.

“I have had times when I might have been in and out of the hospital for three months,” McBride said. “With some people it’s once a week, with others it might be once a month. You might go six months without a problem.”

A normal lifestyle is unlikely. McBride said he can’t participate in some activities with his two children.

Having children is itself amazing because McBride and his wife initially decided they wouldn’t have children if there was a chance they would have sickle cell anemia. Through genetic testing, they discovered their children would not be affected.

Recently, McBride had to leave the pulpit for several weeks to have surgery on his hip.

“I have an understanding church staff and members,” McBride said. “If I can’t keep regular office hours or I have to be out because I’m having problems, others will step forward to help.”

To help others learn more about the disease, McBride has agreed to be a voice for others like him through the Central Texas Sickle Cell Anemia Association.

“Though it predominately affects the black community, I think there needs to be more awareness of sickle cell throughout the community,” he said.

The Central Texas Sickle Cell Anemia Association provides screenings for sickle cell anemia and blood disorders, provides audio and visual presentations, genetic counseling and referrals to doctors, clinics and health care agencies.

The association serves Temple, Belton, Killeen, Fort Hood, Copperas Cove, Gatesville, Rockdale, Waco, Marlin, Mexia, McGregor, Hillsboro and Teague.

The annual Sickle Cell Anemia Telethon will be noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 27, on Fox 44.

For information, call the association offices in Killeen at (254) 634-7600 or the Waco office at (254) 752-3441.