Patient Stories

Daniel Cressy spent the first 23 years of his life in and out of hospitals — sometimes six to twelve times a year during his worst periods. He had a dream to become…

The first time D’Yana heard of sickle cell disease, she was pregnant with her first child, a daughter she would name Ari’Yanna. During routine blood tests, her…

Since before she could remember, sickle cell disease has been the silent scene partner that follows McKenzie—a 22-year-old-actress and recent Spelman College…

“Why do you have to write about your health on social media?”My brother asked me that question many years ago in our family WhatsApp group after I started openly…

"It's hard for people to understand that actually I live with this, I'm not dying from it, but I can't do the same things as you can."Rita Ramos has blood…

For many people living with sickle cell disease (SCD), going to the emergency room isn’t just about getting relief—it’s about bracing yourself. Bracing for the wait…

What is it like for Elizabeth, living with sickle cell disease?“Elizabeth’s sickle cell means she has to stay warm. We try to avoid her getting infections, and we…

From the day he was born, Gary Burks has been coping with the pain and complications that come with sickle cell disease.At age 4, Gary had a stroke, which occurs in…

By Marissa Chow, American Red Cross volunteerIt’s sobering when you’re admitted to the hospital so often that the nurses know you by name. They look at you with a…

I must prioritize my health so that I have the tools to manage other things in lifeAfter completing my finals and passing my clinical comprehensive exam last week,…