Who am I?
Hello, my name is Sedika, I was born with a severe case of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), a
genetic blood disorder. I've been battling this disease since birth, which is getting
significantly worse over time causing organ failures, and irreversible damage to my body.
Until recently, there was no known cure for Sickle Cell with the exception of powerful pain
medications, which I have been taking as long as I have been alive. Having a severe case of
Sickle Cell has prevented me from having a full life as an individual without serious health
complications. SCD is a lonely disease, which has kept me either inside the home or in the
hospital 90% of my life.
Our Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) tells us , “with every disease, there is a cure”, I’ve been
holding to these words of hopes since I was a little girl. These words were my relief in time
of constant pain and gave me joy when I would read them out loud. Our Prophets (PBUH)
words have come true for me as the University of Illinois now provides hope for the cure to
patients with SCD through Stem Cell Transplantation without the need of Chemotherapy.
This is where I need your unwavering financial support to cure me of this awful disease.
What is Sickle Cell? Sickle Cell is an inherited, genetic blood disorder, which comes from
both parents who carry the SC trait. It's a disease that is most common in people of African
descent, as well as Middle Eastern. In regard to the disease itself, it affects the red blood
cells. Normal red blood cells are oxygen-rich, flexible, and round, moving easily through our
blood vessels. During a Sickle Cell crisis, the red blood cells breakdown, and turn into halfmoons or "sickles", and become rigid, and sticky due to the cells lack oxygen. These
irregularly shaped cells get stuck in small blood vessels, which blocks my blood flow, and
oxygen to parts of my body, which causes excruciating pain. These episodes deprive my
tissues, and organs of oxygen-rich blood which prevent blood flow to the organs, causing
long term damage, especially in the heart, lungs, kidneys, spleen, and brain. Although SCD is
considered a rare disease, and because it does not have an outward appearance like MS, at
times I've been denied the necessary pain medications. Moreover, to add psychological
pain to my body pains, I have been called a drug dealer and was even dragged out of a
hospital Emergency Room with 10 out of 10 pain crises, because according to the ER
Doctor, “I was faking it because I don’t look sick.” I need your financial support in stripping
this disease from my system once and for all to not go through these awful scenarios.
How does it feel? The pain is extreme, and debilitating. Every bone feels broken, the pain
can last for days, and even weeks at a time. Twisting in pain, I am unable to move my body is
just an example of how excruciating these episodes affected me. In addition, I have faced
multiple Sickle Cell complications, including a stroke at the tender age of 14, and then again at
the age of 25. Moreover, I have a had my right hip replaced at the age of 26 with the possibilities
of replacing the left hip in the near future due to excess pain. Also, within the past year, I had a
grand mal seizure which causes a loss of consciousness and violent muscle contractions,
scoliosis, heart and lung failure. Every single day is another day of unpredictability and crises
with no happy endling. Currently, the solution is powerful pain subscriptions of both Morphine,
or Oxycontin. As you can imagine, Sickle Cell has not been a friend, but the biggest enemy in
my life. It has prevented me from following my passions and dreams of graduating from
College and just living a normal life. Although I am happy for everyone around me
graduating from College, travelling the world, getting married and having kids, and live a
full life without agony, I have not been able duplicate these concepts due to this terrible
disease. Therefore I need your assistance so that I could live, dream and follow my passion
without having to worry about SCD.
My Stem Cell Story Last year news surfaced about the success rate of stem cell transplants
curing Sickle Cell Disease at the University of Illinois Chicago. Stem cell transplants cured
Chicagoan Lesha Thomas, and three brothers who asserted “being cured, [felt] like [they]
could do anything.” Thinking this was out of the realm of possibility I sent an Email of
myself to the University of Illinois anyway. Moreover, my Mom (Aida), researched the
doctor that performs these transplants and booked an appointment for a one-on-one
consultation. We flew from Minnesota to Chicago to perform the consultation and returned
back to Minnesota to await the news. In 2018, during the last few days of Ramadan I was
chosen as a candidate for the transplant. Moreover, we were evicted from our home in
Minnesota, which gave us that extra push to start our lives in Chicago and close to the
hospital. A blessing in disguise.
Who is my stem cell donor? My stem cell donor is my sister (Zakya), who happens to be
my best friend. She stood by me throughout my years of struggle. She has been tested and is
a full match for my stem cell transplant. She has been one of my biggest supporters coming
to my bedside for every crisis from childhood until now.
What is my goal? My goal is to raise approximately $50,000 USD to help cover the cost of
treatment, boarding, caregiver in the city of Chicago, Illinois. The process is intense as I will
undergo chemotherapy and monitoring donor rejections for months at the
hospital. Furthermore, the process always requires a caregiver. My mother has volunteered
to be my caregiver and she will be with me throughout my journey. Due to the intense
process of the Stem Cell Transplant, my Mom will have to be with me during the entire
process, resulting in a loss of income for her, hence the donation will also cover her food, a
shared boarding room, and necessities to live during the period of treatment. Hence, this
campaign is to pay for the entire process, treatment, boarding, food and caregiver.
Please donate all you can to make a difference in my life and lives of my family so that I
could live a life with passion. With your generous donation, you can help me rid of this
terrible disease which has kept me in either the hospital or at home for 90% of my life. I want
a normal life, just like everyone else. I want to graduate from College, Travel, Work, get
married and live a life free of pain. Thank you for your donations.