I started this campaign with an automated story. I felt it was disingenuous. A computer can't understand my body, my life, or my pain. My name is Isaiah. I was diagnosed at birth with sickle cell. For a long time I lived in the hospital. I survived, I pushed through life with pain. I was raised in a community where asking for help was looked down on. But I moved, I’m free and I need help.

I’m older now, my pain is getting worse, my days are harder. I’m spending months in the hospital I’m supposed to be working in. I’ve been a nurse for 4 years but every year it gets harder to even do what makes me happy. I left home to keep my dog safe and happy, because he makes me happy. But I can’t do that anymore, our daily walks are cut short, he gets what he needs but not what he wants, and I’m a step away from rehoming him.

Sickle cell is a genetic disorder, it’s different for everyone, for me it attacks the joints, causes inflammation and damages the bones. I’ve had 3 increases in medication in 6 months. But it has a cure in trial. A cure I want to try, 4 months of chemo, and radiation therapy, followed by a few months of recovery where I won’t be able to work. I don’t have a family to stay with, I don’t have a home to stay in and the cost of the post procedure would leave me bankrupt. Every dime made will go towards procedure expenses and helping me keep my dog. I haven’t had it easy and that’s okay. I don’t plan on giving up. But I can’t do it alone, and I have so many kind people in my corner cheering me on so I’m going to try my best.

Thank you for reading, I have pictures of my dog listed, pictures of what sickle cell is, and some pictures of me. If you’re wondering why I’m smiling it’s because it’s better to smile than cry.