My name is Rasheka Williams, and I am the proud mom of Elijah Dottery—a brave and resilient 10-year-old who has been fighting Sickle Cell Anemia since the day he was born. From countless hospital stays to major surgeries, Elijah has known pain far beyond his years, yet his smile, strength, and determination have never wavered.

In June, we took a leap of faith and chose hope by moving forward with a bone marrow transplant, believing it could give Elijah the chance at a healthier, brighter future. Since then, Elijah has spent more than 100 days in the hospital. His current stay, which began on November 6th, has been one of the hardest chapters yet. He developed Gut GVHD, a serious and frightening complication—but there is hope. Elijah has been approved for Stem Cell Therapy and will be the first patient at the University of Michigan to receive this newly FDA-approved treatment. We are holding onto faith and praying this breakthrough will change his life.

I have not left Elijah’s side, taking an unpaid leave from work since June 1st to care for him. During this already overwhelming time, I received the heartbreaking news that my plant was closing, and I lost my job. My insurance coverage will only last through the end of December, and our daily living expenses have been sustained solely through the generosity of friends and family. Earlier this year, I organized a fundraiser believing I would be away from work for three months—but those three months have turned into seven, with no end in sight.

This journey has tested us emotionally, physically, and financially. Yet it has also shown us the incredible power of faith, love, and community. I am endlessly grateful for every prayer, message, and act of kindness—we truly would not have made it this far without you.

If you are able to give, any support will go directly toward Elijah’s medical care and our basic living expenses during this critical time. No donation is too small, and every gift makes a meaningful difference. Thank you for standing with us, believing in Elijah’s healing, and helping us hold onto hope for the future.

Any unused funds will go to Faith over Sickle: The Elijah Dottery Mission. A new nonprofit we are launching to provide resources for other families with children fighting chronic illnesses. #FaithoverSickle #SickleCellWarrior