Help Ethan and Ophelia Fight Sickle Cell

Hello all! My name is Mykaell Wheeler and my desire is to raise money for my children Ophelia and Ethan. They are siblings with the same genetic disease called Sickle Cell Disease (SCD for short). This disease affects the blood by creating mainly sickle-shaped blood cells, instead of primarily healthy O-shaped blood cells. With the cells being sickle, they are “sticky” and the sticky cells get stuck passing through veins and anywhere there is blood flow present.

Ophelia is a little over 1 year old and Ethan is 8 years old. Ethan has been hospitalized a few times a year since he was 2 years old. Ethan has had many difficulties in life thus far with SCD, ranging from learning difficulties to intense pain crises all over his body, immobility of his legs, extreme chest pain, back pain, and now sometimes even temporary paralysis, vision loss, hearing impairment, and speech confusion. His neural symptoms have been diagnosed as having TIAs (transient ischemic attacks, which are mini-strokes). His sister, Ophelia, has been blessed to only have had dips in hemoglobin levels, but she has needed blood transfusions already 3 times in her first year of life. But things can escalate in the future as she grows.

I have had to stop working a traditional job because their needs are very demanding, and it caused unrelenting stress with my place of employment and home life. Ethan has had to miss bouts of school at a time, and I am the primary caretaker. I will not send Ophelia to daycare due to how easy it is for her to contract any viral/bacterial illnesses. Some great news for the upcoming year is that there is more than hope taking place.

We are very likely to have a stem cell match for the two kiddos to possibly cure them of their disease. The process can be months long and include a timely stay in the hospital once the procedure is done. I have been by their side at every hurdle they have gone through, and pray to see them through to the beginning of a healthy chapter of their life. My family would be more than grateful for ANY contributions that can be given. It would help with any travel, lodging, and bills that will arise in the months to come. I just really want them to know how it feels to not be in pain every day and that there are people in this world that care, even if they don’t know them personally. We appreciate you taking the time to read our story. May you be blessed just for thinking of us. Take care.