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By Sarah's World member NannyGirl
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In June of 2007, Sarah Ferguson, The Duchess of York announced plans for a new Ronald McDonald House in Long Beach. The Ronald McDonald Houses help alleviate families’ stress by providing them with a comfortable alternative to either sleeping on cots at the hospital of their sick child or incurring the additional expense of staying at a hotel. Additionally, families dealing with defining illnesses find comfort and encouragement by being surrounded by other families who are in similar situations. 
The Duchess on a Ronald McDonald House Charity Tour
The Duchess personally wishes to share the inspiring story of Kryshon Huffman, a young woman she first met during her trip…from the heart of Sarah, and the Sarah Ferguson Foundation.
 Kryshon Huffman is truly an inspiring young woman. While her mom Yolanda was seven months pregnant she learned she had sickle trait and that her baby would have sickle cell anemia. She never realized she had the sickle trait or her partner. Kryshon was a sweet, active baby, but around age 6 things changed. She went to a hospital for an illness, but was misdiagnosed and her mother brought her to Long Beach Memorial Hospital where they know how to treat children with sickle cell anemia. Kryshon has pain crisis about 2 times a year which lands her in the hospital anywhere from 2 weeks to 45 days. If you're wondering what sickle cell anemia is, let me tell you what I learned...
A person inherits 2 abnormal genes which then makes the red blood cells change shape (like the shape of a banana). Kryshon said the pain is like having a “charlie horse” but 10 times worse or like someone is stabbing you. It affects the organs of the person who has sickle cell anemia at times. It affects people in different ways. A crisis' can occur due to weather, stress, laughing, crying and for girls during their menstrual cycle.Kryshon lives a normal life, but at times the sickle cell gets in the way. In 3rd and 4th grade, she missed a lot of school and because many people do not have the facts on sickle cell, they do not understand why Kryshon had to miss so much school. However, at age 16, Kryshon graduated high school and is going to go on to college. With the wonderful support of her mom Yolanda and grandmother Christine, Kryshon does not know the word can't. What happens when a determined young lady named Kryshon meets a very caring Duchess? Dreams come true and soon the word of sickle cell anemia awareness will be everywhere.
 Image of an actual Sickle Cell Early testing could prevent a child being born with this chronic disease. There are some medications that can help mask the pain but at the moment there is no cure. 1 out of 10 people are diagnosed with sickle cell and if not treated can die. Sadly however, there is very little awareness about sickle cell anemia but things will soon change. In 42 states it is mandatory to test babies for the sickle cell trait before they are allowed home. With so much controversy out there regarding stem cell research, it is vital to sickle cell that they are allowed to continue stem cell research so that one day we can end this horrible disease. I love the quote Yolanda (Kryshon's mom) said to me: As long as you don't quit you won’t fail. With those words and a fierce positive attitude, loving support of her mom and grandma, and the help of a wonderful Duchess, Kryshon's dream of being a spokesperson for sickle cell anemia will come true and they will get the funding they need to find a cure.
WE WON'T QUIT TILL WE FIND A CURE!!!!!!!
GET INVOLVED:
Watch Sickle Cell Pain Awareness Art on YouTube
Donate directly online to the Long Beach Ronald McDonald House Charities
For more information on Sickle Cell Anemia, please visit The Sickle Cell Information Center See photos of Kryshon with her grandmother, mother and friend NannyGirl in our photo gallery
Readers have left 5 comments.  1. Posted by nannygirl on 2008-01-22 00:48:44 Kryshon is just an amazing girl and I am so glad to have met her and become her friend. Her mom and grandma both are cool. Exceptional article Lisa!!! Well Done!!! Hope Kryshon's dreams come true. Cannot wait to see more articles about this wonderful young lady...... Keep on writing them Lisa.  This is a wonderful article. It is touching to know that such people do go on with such odds against them. I was diagnosed with a disease that is akin to sickle cell, it is called Thalassemia. Some days are really very difficult, however if you strive to overcome and focus on other issues in life you can and do get through it. Please do bring awareness of this disease as well. It seems to be misunderstood in this country . It is called "Cooleys Anemia". Most Melungeons, and people of the Italian decent seem to have it. Some go on and ignore how they feel if they can. Many doctors misdiagnos it. 4. Posted by nannygirl on 2008-02-20 05:36:39 If you want to check out Kryshons myspace page and learn more go to
www.myspace.com/kryshonlhuffman  5. Posted by eftspain on 2008-07-17 09:08:34 Hi everyone,
What an inspirational and very touching article Lisa.
Who could represent Sickle Cell Anemia better, as a spokesperson than Kryshon.
I would like to share that the technique I use called Emotional Freedom Technique works wonderfully with pain...and all the emotions described during a crisis time of Sickle Cell Anemia, also eliminates menstrual pain easily.Please contact me if anyone wants advise on this because there is a free download in 20 languages to show you how to use EFT from the main website under resources.
www.emofree.com
EFT helped me recover following a double brain haemorrhage and I now I use it every day and love to spread the word.
Warmest wishes,
Marie
Marie Holliday EFT-ADV, MAAMET/Trainer
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