Wouldn't his family have known that he had sickle cell? I thought it was one of many things that are tested for when babies are born. Maybe I'm wrong, and am confusing it with some other disease. I did a research paper on sickle cell a bazillion years ago. I guess I should look into it again. I thought the signs of SCA were very apparent during childhood.
His family simply must have known. The signs are indeed apparent in childhood. Moreover, both parents have to have sickle cell trait for the son to be at risk for sickle cell disorder. They must have talked about it. Besides, newborns at risk are tested for sickle cell at birth in forty states.