Laila’s Bone Marrow Transplant to Cure Sickle Cell

Laila P. Skinner, my niece, is a 4-year-old girl who is smart, inquisitive, and fun-loving.  She enjoys going to local parks, watching movies, and playing with her younger sister.  Laila was diagnosed at birth with Sickle Cell Anemia Type SS, which is the most severe type of sickle cell. Sickle Cell Anemia is an inherited genetic disease of the blood that affects the shape of red blood cells, causes pain and damage to the body’s organs,affect the quality of an individual’s life (including shorter life span expectancy), and requires ongoing medical care.  This year alone, Laila has been hospitalized on five different occasions due to having sickle cell crises since February.  The only cure for sickle cell anemia is a Bone Marrow Transplant.

Thankfully, Laila is a candidate for a Bone Marrow Transplant.  She will be the recipient of her 2-year-old sister’s bone marrow.  She will undergo a Bone Marrow Transplant in September 2019 to cure her from sickle cell.  The procedure, treatment, and recovery from the transplant will take approximately 1 year to complete.  Laila’s mother will not be able to work during that time while she cares for her.  We have decided to set up this GoFundMe in hopes to alleviate some of the financial burden that Laila and her family will endure over the coming year and into the future.  They are more than grateful for any help given during this time.  No donation is too small.   We thank you in advance.