#foscs17

[sicklecell101]

“Being a sickle cell SS has always been a fight with physical pain and mental self. To overcome the daily struggles of life, work and sickle cell, I live by poem "Invictus" by William Ernest Henley. The poem's words, "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul" are the words I live by. Whenever I face difficulties those words get me through. Furthermore I always smile, in pain or not, as my father once told me a great quote "Smile and the world smiles with you, cry and you cry alone.” I like to motivate other sickle cell patients by setting an example. All the things I have achieved in life is to motivate my fellow sickle cell warriors. I want to say this to all my sickle cell warriors, "Don't get upset or demotivated. You are capable of achieving great things in life. Stay focused, stay hydrated. Sickle cell doesn't control you, you control sickle cell." #SickleCell101 #FacesOfSickleCell #sicklecell

[sicklecell101]

Zalika had been in and out of the hospital all throughout her high school years. In 2010 she received her transplant and met her donor for the first time at the #BeTheMatch Minneapolis Tribute in 2012. To learn more about Bone Marrow Transplants for #sicklecell disease, or joining a registry follow Be The Match (@bethematch) and visit their website www.bethematch.com #SickleCell101 #FacesOfSickleCell #sicklecell

[sicklecell101]

As a recent graduate obtaining her bachelor's in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing, Jazmine is huge advocate for sickle cell disease where she is determined to educate people on this illness. She noticed the lack of education, information, and research on sickle cell disease and therefore went on to become a patient advocate, and is currently a intern with the Sickle Cell Community Consortium. She advocates for sickle cell disease, through her YouTube channel, and her social media accounts. Jazmine create videos, content and manage multiple social media accounts in order to provide the education to other patients, caregivers, with hopes of continuing the education process. @beautywithinsicklecell #SickleCell101 #FacesOfSickleCell #sicklecell

[sicklecell101]

“Being a mom living with sickle cell disease gives me the push I need to keep on fighting another day. I’ve developed a sense of self-preservation because of my little girl.” #SickleCell101 #FacesOfSickleCell #sicklecell

[sicklecell101]

We don't allow sickle cell to let them live their lives on the sidelines. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." ~Phil 4:13” - Jaimee R., Mother “Reagan used to get crises all the time, then we started treating him naturally with EvenFlo (@healingblendsglobal), diet, and supplements. He hasn't had a hospitalization since October 2015 or an ER visit since January 2016! Thankfully, Leo hasn't had as many complications as Reagan." #SickleCell101 #FacesOfSickleCell #sicklecell

[sicklecell101]

“I tried to work through my disease and the pain, but my body just couldn’t take it,” said Constance. She was born with sickle cell disease but it suddenly got much worse, which caused her modeling career to pause. Luckily Constance had transplant in 2012, when she was 25 years old. Her donor was her younger sister, Samantha, who was a 10 of 10 HLA (human leukocyte antigen) match! Learn more about transplant as a cure for SCD and our friends at @BeTheMatch: http://bit.ly/2epwgKq #SickleCell101 #BeTheMatch #FacesOfSickleCell #sicklecell

[sicklecell101]

Siblings Kyle and Michelle both battle sickle beta thalassemia. Kyle, the oldest, loves to watch sports and interested in drafting. Michelle, the youngest, enjoys drawing, painting and ceramics. They are of Italian descent. #SickleCell101 #FacesOfSickleCell #sicklecell

[sicklecell101]

"I had no idea what sickle cell was until I was pregnant with my first child. At 18 weeks gestation I found out I was having a girl and found out she would be born with Sickle Cell Anemia (SS). From the moment I found out my daughter would have sickle cell disease, I began educating myself and others about the disease.” When her daughter had her first sickle cell pain episode, she shared it with the world in hopes to raise awareness. #SickleCell101 #FacesOfSickleCell #sicklecell