My mom, Shantil, has always been the heart of our family—a true sickle cell warrior who has faced unimaginable challenges with courage and grace. She recently underwent her second heart surgery to replace her tricuspid valve, a difficult and risky procedure that has left her unable to work and in need of constant care. On top of this, she continues to battle sickle cell disease every day, a struggle she has known her entire life. As a devoted teacher and a single mother, she has always put my two sisters and me first, working tirelessly to provide for us and support our dreams.

Now, as she recovers, the roles have reversed. My siblings and I are doing everything we can to care for her, but the financial strain is overwhelming. Her insurance doesn’t cover all the costs, and we’re struggling to pay for the copayments and medications she needs to heal. Just 1 medication is $633 monthly. Watching her worry about bills while she’s fighting to get better is heartbreaking. We want nothing more than to give her the peace of mind to focus on her recovery, without the added stress of mounting expenses.

Your support means more than words can express. Every contribution helps cover her medical costs such as medications, specialist copays and rehab visits. This will bring us closer to seeing our mom healthy and back to doing what she loves—teaching and inspiring others. Thank you for helping us take care of the woman who has always taken care of us.