Kiara's Sickle Cell Treatment
Donation protected
What would you do if the only thing standing in between your daughter, her ability to live a pain free, healthy, happy life is money?
My daughter Kiara Gilliam is 17 years old and has been battling sickle cell disease since birth. Kiara has Hemoglobin SS which is the most common type of sickle cell disease. Sickle cell disease is a genetic blood disorder affecting the red blood cells. It causes the cells to lose oxygen very easily, turning them from round shapes to crescent shapes that cause painful episodes known as pain crises. This disease aside from being extremely painful it can also be harmful to organs, muscles, and bones.
Kiara is receiving blood transfusion every 2 weeks. Kiara has been hospitalized very often, so much that it’s preventing her from living the normal carefree life she deserves to live.
Although Kiara has sickle cell disease she refuses to let this disease define her. She loves school and does well, regardless of her many absences due to her illness. She wants to become a Registered Nurse to be able to help others.
This last hospitalization was rough, mentally, emotionally and physically. She was hospitalized for a month. Seeing her in so much pain made her father and I feel helpless. Which started the process of looking for treatments and hospitals in other states. I found IE Hospital in Chicago that can do bone marrow stem cell transplant. The problem is Chicago doesn’t take our out of state insurance. We would have to live in Chicago for 6 to 8 months for post medical care. The cost of the transplant is $250,000, with blood work starting at $200, all this plus the cost of living on living arrangements for 6 to 8 months.
I have been doing everything I can to come up with the money. Kiara has designed and started a clothing line to help raise funds for her surgery. Despite all this we haven’t been able to come up with all the money. I also have SS sickle cell disease, and I know exactly what my daughter has to go through with the exception that she has had more crisis. As a mother I love my child and I only want to see her be “SICKLE CELL DISEASE FREE” I humbly ask for any donation, big or small, anything will help. Peace& Love!
My daughter Kiara Gilliam is 17 years old and has been battling sickle cell disease since birth. Kiara has Hemoglobin SS which is the most common type of sickle cell disease. Sickle cell disease is a genetic blood disorder affecting the red blood cells. It causes the cells to lose oxygen very easily, turning them from round shapes to crescent shapes that cause painful episodes known as pain crises. This disease aside from being extremely painful it can also be harmful to organs, muscles, and bones.
Kiara is receiving blood transfusion every 2 weeks. Kiara has been hospitalized very often, so much that it’s preventing her from living the normal carefree life she deserves to live.
Although Kiara has sickle cell disease she refuses to let this disease define her. She loves school and does well, regardless of her many absences due to her illness. She wants to become a Registered Nurse to be able to help others.
This last hospitalization was rough, mentally, emotionally and physically. She was hospitalized for a month. Seeing her in so much pain made her father and I feel helpless. Which started the process of looking for treatments and hospitals in other states. I found IE Hospital in Chicago that can do bone marrow stem cell transplant. The problem is Chicago doesn’t take our out of state insurance. We would have to live in Chicago for 6 to 8 months for post medical care. The cost of the transplant is $250,000, with blood work starting at $200, all this plus the cost of living on living arrangements for 6 to 8 months.
I have been doing everything I can to come up with the money. Kiara has designed and started a clothing line to help raise funds for her surgery. Despite all this we haven’t been able to come up with all the money. I also have SS sickle cell disease, and I know exactly what my daughter has to go through with the exception that she has had more crisis. As a mother I love my child and I only want to see her be “SICKLE CELL DISEASE FREE” I humbly ask for any donation, big or small, anything will help. Peace& Love!
Organizer
Kiara Gilliam
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA
