Gene Therapy Clinical Trial

Hi, my name is Danielle and I'm fundraising to get to New York so that I can participate in a Clinical Trial for Sickle Cell Disease involving Gene Therapy. It is the first true cure for Sickle Cell. The study is at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, located in New York City. I need dental work done before I can undergo chemotherapy ahead of the stem cell transplant. All donations will go towards all dental work, flight, and hotel arrangements, along with transportation to and from the hospital, as well as, necessary dining.

I haven't had much of a life, outside of simply, existing. To be a bit more specific, growing up, I was never able to play sports because all of the stress and exertion that comes with physical activity would lead my body into a sickle cell crisis. I dropped out of university due to excessive hospitalizations throughout the semester. I was never able to focus on my professor's lecturing because I was in too much pain to pay attention to anything other than the pain and was never able to catch up on everything I missed while being in the hospital. I was also never able to hold a job for long for the same reasons; too much pain to focus on my duties and too many and too many hospitalizations. My dream is to graduate from college with a B.S. in Biology, I hope to then work as a forensics scientist while working towards a Master's degree and finally, achieve a Ph.D. in Genetics.

I was so close to giving up on my dreams, I was beginning to believe that my life would be nothing more than hospital stays and absolutely no joy. While I tried to be optimistic, I was realizing that having hope, would only leave me with despair. However, it seems God has other plans in work for me. I have been accepted into a Gene Therapy Clinical Trial with Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. With this procedure, I'll be able to start my life and finally fulfill my goals and dreams.

With that said, once again, I need to raise money to help with the costs of travel and lodging, as well as some major dental work before I can start rounds of chemo. Please, help me raise the necessary funds to participate in the clinical trial. Any little bit helps, even if you cannot donate, if you share my story, perhaps it will reach someone who can spare a few dollars.

From the bottom of my heart, I thank you.