Hello!  My name is Erika and I am the cousin of Ayanna Fennell who has been fighting Sickle Cell Disease (SCD).  I am starting this page because Ayanna is in need of a Bone Marrow Transplant. Ayanna's little brother, Zion, is a perfect match and will be her bone marrow donor.  The goal is to reach $100,000 to pay for the medical fees.  Ayanna's transplant will take place at Duke University.  The funds will pay for medical costs for both Ayanna and Zion, transportation, hospital fees, and any other medical expenses before and after surgery.  Insurance will only pay for half of the costs of the surgery.

In the United States, most people with SCD are of African ancestry or identify as Black.

• About 1 in 13 African-American babies is born with sickle cell trait.
• About 1 in every 365 Black children is born with sickle cell disease.

Ayanna is the second youngest of four to Quincy and Shameka Fennell.  Ayanna is intelligent, outgoing, kind-hearted, and a very well behaved teenager.  She LOVES to dance.  Ayanna also likes to shop, skate, travel, visit amusement parks, and loves to be around family and friends.  One of Ayanna's hopes and dreams is to be a dance choreographer when she gets older.

Ayanna was first diagnosed with SCD when she was five years old.  Ayanna and her family went to the beach and she became really sick and was taken to the hospital.  Ayanna almost lost her life and was rushed to Children's Hospital of Kings Daughters (CHKD) where her family was told she had SCD.

Shameka's first reaction to Ayanna being diagnosed with SCD was fear among anything.  Shameka was also shocked because they were not told Ayanna had SCD when she was born.  Ayanna was too young to understand what SCD was when she was diagnosed.  She just knew that she would be in pain and get really sick.  As Ayanna became older, she would ask questions about why she was sick, why she couldn't do or go places other kids could, or why she couldn't be like normal kids.

Shameka's other greatest fear is Ayanna not living a long life.  Shameka would hear stories about children who are diagnosed with SCD and not live to see 21 years or 40 years old.  Shameka educates herself on SCD by researching and speaking to people who are also suffering from the illness.  Shameka has even heard people say, "well at least it's not worse as cancer."  To those who do not know, they do not know what it is like to live with SCD.  SCD is very deadly and has both short and long term effects on the person suffering from SCD.

Being diagnosed with SCD has affected Ayanna in her day-to-day life in more ways than one.  Ayanna cannot do certain things, such as swimming, because the temperature of the water may be too cold as well as the heat from being outside for long periods of time.  Sometimes Ayanna is in so much pain she cannot get out of her bed.  Some days are better than others, but Ayanna and her family make the best of it.  The family has also made a lot of adjustments to accommodate her condition.  The family can only go certain places.  Ayanna loves theme parks, however, she cannot be out too long because of how the environment effects her.  In addition, the temperature in the house can't be too cold because it drops Ayanna's body temperature.

Our family would like to educate ourselves as well as others by reading, researching, attending events and seminars, speaking with people who suffer from SCD, and encourage family and friends of those who are suffering to aid in support.  Communities can come together to support families and friends suffering from SCD through small events and rallies in support of SCD to help raise awareness and/or funds for families who cannot afford needed treatments of this disease.