Thank you for your support in 2023. Because of you, patients like sickle cell warrior Lena and leukemia survivor Thomas are living happier, healthier lives.

Sickle cell warrior Lena has experienced severe pain, countless hospitalizations, death scares and discrimination because of her disease. Despite everything she has been through, she is determined to advocate for other sickle cell patients and make a positive impact in their lives. “Anywhere there is a sickle cell initiative, anywhere there is someone who needs to learn something about sickle cell or the impact they could have by simply giving blood, that’s where I come in,” she says. “We all deserve a chance at life.”

Thomas was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia shortly after his 2^nd birthday and received 18 blood transfusions to keep his little body strong enough to endure grueling chemotherapy. Today, Thomas is in remission and his mother, Lori, encourages others to donate blood and save children’s lives. “I didn’t know until Thomas was in treatment that pretty much every child that goes through cancer treatment gets blood products,” she says. “I always ask people, ‘If you could save my son’s life by giving blood, would you do it?’ And they always say yes.”