INDEPENDENCE DAY. On July 4, 1776, the thirteen colonies claimed their independence from England, an event which eventually led to the formation of the United States.
Polycythemia vera is a rare, chronic disorder involving the overproduction of blood cells in the bone marrow (myeloproliferation). The overproduction of red blood cells is most dramatic, but the production of white blood cells and platelets are also elevated in most cases.
Most people with polycythemia vera have too many red blood cells, but the disease may also cause you to have too many white blood cells and platelets. In rare cases, parents pass this broken gene to children.