Parents of children with Sickle cell anemia witness the daily pain of this devastating disease — and say they would do anything for a cure.
A Jacksonville pastor is one of those parents.
"We know this is like a ticking time bomb," says George Davis, pastor and father of 15-year-old Keragan ,who was diagnosed with Sickle cell anemia at birth.
The disease affects 8 to 10 percent of African Americans, many of which are children, and causes oxygen proteins in the red blood cells to form abnormally.
Patients often suffer severe infections and shortness of breath. Strokes are also a concern.
"She was diagnosed with the worst variance of this disease. We were devastated," said Bishop Davis.
Keragan's parents George and April Davis, are pastors at one of Jacksonville's largest congregations: Impact Church, were praying for a miracle. .
"To see your externally healthy child, and to see chemo come into her body, that was tough," George said.
Keragan, a black belt in Taekwondo, didn't want the treatment.
"I was so against it. I didn't want to do it," Keragan said. "I was not with it. It was scary. The thought of it was very scary."
"It's the same cure or procedure as a cancer patient for leukemia," said her mother, April Davis.
The procedure, a bone marrow transplant for sickle cell, is also financially difficult on families, costing tens of thousands of dollars — out of pocket.
Only a few doctors perform the treatment, which is usually considered only for those under 16. Because of this, Bishop Davis packed up his family and met with doctors around the nation.
Keragan was eventually admitted to Emory University Hospital in Atlanta — only a few hours away — where the first bone marrow transplants were ever performed.
"One test showed enough of what they needed to see. They found a doctor willing to take the case," said Bishop Davis. "She was the perfect candidate, so many patients have organ damage and fatigue. Her [organs] were in perfect order."
Both of Keagan's brothers were also cleared as donors for her treatment, and now after months away from friends and home, Keragan is back in Jacksonville.
"None of my friends knew anything about it, so it was kind of lonely," Keragan said. "Today I'm cleared for just about anything, so I guess that means I can go to church."
Keragan is hitting her medical milestones and hopes to be cleared on the one-year anniversary of her chemo treatments.
The Davis family has also started the ‘Kera-Grace Strong Foundation’ in their daughter and nieces honor to help other families living with sickle cell.
Cox Media Group
