Bone Marrow Transplant for Mardi (Nikki)

At the age of 6 months old, Nikki was diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease. Over the past 22 years she has endured countless hospital stays and blood transfusions due to the blocked blood flow in the blood vessels of her limbs and organs. Blocked blood flow causes excruciating pain and organ damage. A Bone Marrow Transplant is now Nikki's only hope for recovery and remission of her sickle cell disease. She has been blessed to find out through testing that her younger sister is an EXACT match. This is a costly procedure and even with insurance, the out-of-pocket medical expenses will continue to accumulate. Nikki will be hospitalized 8 days prior to her BMT and 4 weeks after the actual transplant procedure. After being discharged from the inpatient unit she will need to return to the clinic daily. She will need her mom, stepmom, dad, stepdad and grandmother to be a team of 24hr care-givers (insurance does not cover a home health aide). It will be medically necessary that she temporarily move to Richmond, VA. (Family from Maryland, Fredericksburg, VA and Michigan will have to travel to Richmond, VA as well to provide round the clock care) to be within 30 minutes of the hospital for a minimum of 9 weeks and the housing costs will add more to the financial burden. Her family and friends are asking for your help. Please keep this precious family in your prayers and if you can, help us raise money to offset the medical, travel, living and housing expenses throughout this journey. Thank you for taking the time to read about Nikki's story.