How Sickle Cell Disease Robs Black Children
A holiday giving campaign for a patient in need
Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is one of those illnesses I grew up knowing about because many people in my community were more likely to have it.
For those who don’t know, SCD is “an inherited blood disorder marked by defective hemoglobin. [The disease] inhibits the ability of hemoglobin in red blood cells to carry oxygen. Sickle cells tend to stick together, blocking small blood vessels causing painful and damaging complications.” It affects 1 in 365 Black people in the U.S.
While recent news suggests major headway in finding a cure, thousands of people are still suffering from the disease. Among them is my baby cousin — Shiloh.
Before his bone marrow transplant earlier this year, Shiloh was a bubbly, energtic little boy who loved playing with his older siblings and hugging his parents and grandma. Today, he is in the hospital, battling for his life.
This season, I am humbly asking you to support the #UntilShiloh giving campaign, which seeks to raise $20,000 before Christmas to cover the mounting healthcare costs it takes to ensure the Shiloh’s life and health. Please help us ease the burden on a loving family that is experiencing so much grief during a season known for its joy and cheer.
To donate to #UntilShiloh, follow this link: Tinyurl.com/untilshiloh. No amount is too small. Thank you so much for your generosity!
