What a Support System, Plus Spiritual Uplifting! He's Good..

Talk about support -- I have managed to achieve that from the job. "The job"? most people would think. Yes, I said the job. Here's how it happened. My youngest son has two daughters who were born with Sickle Cell Anenia. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this, it is a very devastating disease inherited by mostly African-American children who are born to parents who are carriers (or who have the trait). The older sister has a more serious case, and due to suffering strokes, she qualified for a bone marrow transplant which took place in March of 2004. The donor of the bone marrow had to be found on the internet because the only sibling has the disease also. Unfortunately, the transplant was unsuccessful; therefore, making it necessary for my granddaughter to have another transplant in January 2006. A few months ago, she had to undergo surgery on the right side of her brain to alleviate the strokes. This was successful, and today she had yet another surgery on the left side for the same purpose. She is a strong, beautiful, delightful little girl who has been through a lot in her little life, and because of her faith, and that of our whole family, plus many prayers that are going up on her behalf. Even though the younger sister has had a couple of strokes, she continues to maintain a less serious case of Sickle Cell. Both sisters receive blood transfusions each month. I know that she and her sister will receive the cure and someday will lead normal lives.

As mentioned above, we have gotten tremendous support from my job. One of our teachers and her class is sponsoring a walk-a-thon to help defray costs for the upcoming transplant. I work at a non-profit organization for at-risk kids, and the boys program is working hard to make this effort a success which is through The Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA). God has been very busy answering prayers and keeping us uplifted in our faith in Him. Please join us as we continue to pray for my granddaughters and their family. What a testimony this will be when the LORD gives us the victory over this disease.