Our beloved Kyla

My name is Cassandra, and I am raising funds in loving memory of my beautiful niece, Kyla Marie Tompkins. It is with profound sadness and broken hearts that we share the passing of our beloved Kyla, after a lifelong battle with sickle cell anemia.

Kyla was far more than her illness. She was a loving daughter, sister, aunt, family member, and friend whose strength, faith, and resilience inspired everyone who knew her. Despite enduring unimaginable pain throughout her life, she continued to fight every day with courage and determination.

As our family navigates this devastating loss, we are seeking support to help cover funeral and memorial expenses, outstanding medical costs, and the expenses that come with laying our precious Kyla to rest with the dignity and love she deserves.

Every donation, no matter the amount, will help ease the financial burden on our family during this difficult time. If you are unable to contribute financially, we ask that you please share this fundraiser and keep our family in your thoughts and prayers.

Kyla's Own Words

Before her passing, Kyla shared the reality of living with sickle cell disease in her own words.

"I have lived with sickle cell anemia since birth, and it affects nearly every aspect of my daily life. This is a lifelong blood disorder that causes chronic pain, severe pain crises, fatigue, weakness, and other serious complications that are unpredictable and can occur without warning.

During a pain crisis, I experience intense pain that limits my ability to stand, walk, lift, concentrate, sleep, or complete even basic daily activities. These episodes often require emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, strong pain medications, and blood transfusions.

In addition to pain crises, I have ongoing complications from sickle cell disease that have affected my bones and joints, including my hip and shoulder, causing chronic pain, decreased mobility, and difficulty with prolonged standing, walking, bending, reaching, lifting, and repetitive movements.

My condition requires continuous medical care, including regular appointments, medications, laboratory monitoring, specialist referrals, and treatment to help prevent or manage complications.

Even on days when I am not experiencing a severe pain crisis, I continue to have fatigue, reduced stamina, and chronic pain that make it difficult to maintain a regular work schedule or perform physically demanding activities consistently.

Heat, dehydration, stress, illness, and overexertion can trigger or worsen my symptoms, making many work environments especially challenging.

Because sickle cell anemia is a lifelong condition with unpredictable flare-ups, I cannot reliably predict when I will become ill or require emergency treatment. My symptoms vary from day to day, but they significantly limit my ability to sustain full-time employment, perform physically demanding work, or maintain consistent attendance.

Despite following my treatment plan and receiving ongoing medical care, my condition continues to interfere with my ability to function independently and complete normal work-related activities on a regular and reliable basis."

A Legacy of Strength

Kyla's journey was filled with challenges most people could never imagine. Yet she faced those challenges with incredible bravery and perseverance. We hope her story not only honors her memory but also helps raise awareness of the daily struggles faced by those living with sickle cell disease.

Thank you for your kindness, generosity, prayers, and support during this difficult time. Your love means more than words can express.

With gratitude,

The Family of Kyla