Hunter goes to Spelman

On August 8th I will be a freshman attending the historic, Spelman College...this is how I got there...


My name is Hunter Haymore, I am an 18 years old high school senior.   I have looked forward to this year my entire life and I'm so happy to be alive today to share my story.

I was born with Sickle Cell Anemia and spent most of my life in and out of hospitals.  I was so sick that I had to have monthly blood transfusions just to keep me alive.   I did that for 5 years; and that's not the half of it.  I had my first stroke in kindergarten the second stroke happened in first grade.  I missed so much of second grade due to hospitalizations and doctors appointments that I had to repeat it.  On top of that I was diagnoised dyslexic.  Focusing on school and studying was a challenge to say the least.

While in grade school I realized that although I was different from the other kids I had to accept my life of chronic illness without fear.  I never knew when I would be hospitalized.  My family and I spent most holidays in the hospital.  It was a running joke with the nurses..."happy valentine's day Hunter, we've been waiting for you." I can joke about it now.  But it was not funny then.


Despite, my disabilities I never let them stop me. 
I have always had a strong faith in God and believed that life would eventually change for the better, and it did. In the 8th grade I had an experimental, un-related bone marrow transplant, curing me of my Sickle Cell Disease.  My video tells the full story.

And to my unknown donor,  words can not express how grateful I am...you changed my life...I will not let you down...and I hope to meet you one day to properly thank you.  May God bless you and keep you.

It has been the breakthrough my family and I only dreamed about.  My successful transplant freeded me from the burden of hospital visits.  I have dreams, big dreams and now I'm able to focus on my education and my dream of becoming a nurse. I want to give back...I want to be the nurse all the kids know by name...the nurse who makes going to the hosptial just a little less painful and scary.

After much hard work and dedication I am a member of the National Honor Society and I am proud to say, I have been on the high honor roll since 9th grade.


Going to college is something my mom and I only dreamed about.  I would watch the t.v. show "A Different World" and pretend I was a student at Hillman College.  I knew I had the drive and will, I just did not know if my body would cooperate.  I'm so thankful that it has!


I am well on my way to a different world.
I'm a girl who will never stop dreaming.  The skys the limit for me.  If I have learned nothing else on this journey, it has taught me, nothing is impossible.  The word it's self says, "Im-possible."

So, please support me as I embark on my dream of becoming a Spelmanite!  Thank YOU!