My beautiful 9-year-old niece, Alexa, has been fighting sickle cell disease since she was only six months old. While most children have spent their childhoods playing without a care in the world, Alexa’s life has included countless doctor appointments, hospital stays, medications, and painful health complications.

Every year since infancy, Alexa has battled acute chest syndrome, a serious and potentially life-threatening complication of sickle cell disease. She also lives with asthma and experiences excruciating pain crises that can strike without warning. Our family has watched her endure more pain in nine short years than anyone should ever have to experience.

Recently, Alexa’s journey took an even more frightening turn. Doctors discovered that she was experiencing silent strokes and that a major blood vessel in her brain was not receiving enough blood flow. She was immediately placed on monthly blood transfusions to help prevent a major stroke.

Then, in August, our family received news that brought both hope and fear: Alexa was a candidate for a bone marrow transplant, which could offer her a chance to be cured of sickle cell disease.

My sister and her husband have a family of six, and the children were tested to see whether any of them could be Alexa’s donor. Two of her siblings were matches. The family selected her 13-year-old brother, Amari, to be her donor.

Amari was overjoyed. He and Alexa are more than brother and sister—they are best friends. When he was asked if he would donate his bone marrow to help save his little sister, he did not hesitate. He said he would do anything for her.

In September, the family received confirmation that Amari was a match, and Alexa’s transplant is scheduled for January 2027. Although this is the answer to so many prayers, everything is happening much faster than the family expected, leaving them only a few months to prepare emotionally, physically, and financially.

My sister is an entrepreneur and salon owner. During Alexa’s transplant, she will have to step completely away from her salon and remain in the hospital with her for several weeks. But leaving the hospital will not mean the journey is over.

Before receiving her brother’s cells, Alexa will undergo chemotherapy and radiation as part of the conditioning process for her transplant. These intense treatments will weaken her immune system and prepare her body to receive Amari’s donated cells. Once she returns home, she will need to remain isolated for at least nine months while her body rebuilds its defenses. She will be homeschooled by her mother and will not be able to be around crowds or people who could unknowingly expose her to illness.

Because my sister works closely with clients every day, returning to the salon will not be an option during this fragile stage of Alexa’s recovery. Her husband will continue working, but he will need to reduce his hours so he can help care for their other three children while my sister remains by Alexa’s side.

This family will be facing months of lost income along with household bills, food, transportation, medical-related expenses, and the additional costs of keeping their home safe and prepared for Alexa’s recovery.

No mother should have to choose between caring for her sick child and keeping her household financially stable. My sister’s only focus should be helping Alexa heal—not worrying about how the bills will be paid while she is unable to work.

Through everything, Alexa’s faith has remained unshaken. She truly believes that God is going to heal her so she can finally live without pain crises, monthly transfusions, and repeated hospital visits. She dreams of growing up and becoming so many wonderful things. Anyone who meets Alexa knows she was born to be a star, and nothing will hold her back—not even sickle cell.

We are asking for help surrounding this family during the most difficult and important season of their lives. Every donation will help provide financial stability while my sister steps away from her business to become Alexa’s full-time caregiver.

If you are unable to donate, please share Alexa’s story and keep her, Amari, their siblings, and their parents in your prayers.

Alexa is preparing to receive new cells, a new beginning, and the chance to experience childhood without the pain of sickle cell disease.

Together, we can help carry this family while they fight for Alexa’s healing. No donation is too small, and every prayer, share, and act of kindness means more than words can express.

Nothing will hold Alexa back—not even sickle cell.