Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a method is provided that is effective in treating sickle cell anemia. The method comprises a method of treating a person with sickle cell disease comprising the step of injecting into the person with sickle cell disease a solution with an effective concentration of a surface active copolymer of the following formula:HO(C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O).sub.b (C.sub.3 H.sub.6 O).sub.a (C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O).sub.b Hwherein a is an integer such that the hydrophobe represented by (C.sub.3 H.sub.6 O) has a molecular weight of approximately 950 to 4000 and b is an integer such that the hydrophile portion represented by (C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O) constitutes approximately 50% to 90% by weight of the compound.