Hi, I'm Liz. My friend Poppy and her family are in need of love and support as they focus on their 19-year-old son, Elijah.

Just after Thanksgiving 2022, their world was turned upside down. You may have still been in a food coma or trying to avoid talking politics with your in-laws, but my friend was on her way to the hospital with her oldest boy. He was thrown into a sickle cell crisis with acute chest syndrome after coming down with the flu.

The following week took them to three different hospitals in two cities, the ICU, a helicopter (and ambulance) ride, sleepless nights, an endless stream of complex medical news, consultations with specialists, frustration, unimaginable physical pain for Elijah, stress, the threat of having to wear oxygen at home, and uncertainty about the future. And that's putting it lightly. Not to mention the inevitable medical bills. He finally started to turn a corner after eight grueling days.

He was recovering at home until he suddenly went back into another crisis. This time with blood clots in both lungs. He is currently being transported back to the hospital in Colorado Springs along with the anxiety of an unknown future. The complications he is experiencing are life-threatening and unfortunately, sickle cell disease is a chronic illness with no cure.

They hadn't had time to fully recover from his first hospitalization, let alone think about finances, and now it's piling on again. That's where we can step in. All funds raised will be given directly to the Thorpe family so they can focus on healing. Every donation matters. Thank you!!!

(The picture shows Elijah undergoing a blood exchange transfusion during his first hospitalization. Posted with permission from the family.)