Help Dora Fight Sickle Cell
My 4 year old daughter; Dora has been a fighter her whole life. Born with sickle cell anemia (deformed red blood cells), a disease that causes her to have a weakened immune system and severe pain, Dora has had to fight to overcome many serious illnesses throughout her life. A common cold can trigger a sickle-cell crisis for Dora, which many times had resulted in days of hospitalization and, at times, blood transfusions. The odd-shaped cells of a person with sickle cell block blood flow within the person, causing extreme pain. This is a long-standing problem Dora has had to learn to cope with and manage. Her pain management during hospitalization has escalated from morphine to dilaudid, which is three to four times stronger than morphine.She is at risk other complications as a result of having sickle cell disease.
In recent years, there have been people who have been cured from sickle-cell disease through genetic therapy,via a bone marrow transplant from a sibling that does not have sickle cell. Though we have wanted to expand our family, having two children with sickle cell disease and the possibility that any future children could have the disease has been a major factor in our decision to wait. However, recently after discussing cure options for her with their hematologist, he mentioned that in vitro fertilization (IVF) with genetic screening, could enable us to have a child born without sickle cell. In addition, he said by using matching donor markers, we could be able to cure one or both of our children.
Unfortunately, IVF treatment is not covered by my insurance.The doctors estimates all of the testing,medical expenses and procedural costs will be over $5,500. Nevertheless, through the encouragement of my family,I am reaching out to you all to ask for help covering the expenses of this procedure to help my family by giving the best chance at life for my baby Dora.This is the only foreseeable hope for we have for Dora and the only way we would be able to live a life free of sickle cell anemia. My prayer is for a strong, healthy family and that everyone can live life free from the pain of sickle cell. Thank you all, God Bless you!
