Sickle cell patient brings awareness to National Donor Day

Robert was born with sickle cell disease, a lifelong condition caused by an abnormal gene that impacts a child’s red blood cells. Despite Robert’s diagnosis he has strived to live a normal life, playing the trumpet in his school’s marching band and spending time with his siblings. 

Recently, Robert has experienced severe pain due to his sickle cell and has had to take a step back from his hobbies and everyday life. To manage his symptoms, he has begun hydroxyurea therapy at Children’s Health℠ and has been hospitalized for long periods to monitor his pain. 

Robert’s care team decided to put him on the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), formerly known as Be The Match, transplant list to cure his sickle cell disease. His family aren’t matches for him and there is currently no one else on the registry that is a perfect match. But, Robert continues to look forward to the day he finds his 10/10 match.

Consider becoming a blood stem cell donor this Valentine’s Day. Thousands of patients depend on the NMDP to find a genetically matched blood stem cell donor to save their lives.