My Sickle Cell Story

Three days after her birth, our daughter Mariah was diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease.  Sickle cell disease causes the red blood cells to have a "sickle" shape.  This odd shape means the red blood cells will not function properly as an oxygen and iron carrier.  This can cause servere pain in the person with the disease and many other health problems.   Mariah has spent many night in the ER and the hospital.  It  hasn't been easy for us.  With each Docotor visit, Emergency room check in, and hospital stays costly medical bills pilled on top of us. When Mariah was only 4 years old she had a major surgery to remove her spleen because it stop functioning properly due to the disease.  Our faith and God has kept our family together during these rough times. Mariah is the boss of the family. She keeps us laughing all the time.  In her honor we have sponsered a blood drive, started a webpage, and even wrote a book to tell her story.  Unfortunately these things have not quelled the influx of medical bills.  We are eternally grateful to all those that can help spread Mariah's story and help educate everyone about Sickle Cell Disease.