HILLSBORO, Ala. (WHNT) — At birth, Tenecia Smith was diagnosed with a blood disorder.
“I was in and out of the hospital at just two months old until currently right now. It was a lot of weekly treatments, sometimes months,” Smith explained.
Tenecia has Sickle Cell disease, also known as Sickle Cell Anemia.
She is one of over 100,000 Americans whose blood cells are shaped into a sickle, resulting in disruptions to blood flow throughout the body. The disease took the life of her brother at the age of 16 and has affected several family members.
Those who have this disease rely on blood transfusions for survival. For Tenecia, it’s a way to avoid becoming sicker than she currently is.
“Dealing with this illness, I’ve had three strokes, and two grand mal seizures, but I’ve been graced to still live, talk and be able to move and take care of my children and family,” Smith said.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 90% of those affected are non-Hispanic black or African American.
The American Red Cross said only 1 in 3 black blood donors is a match for people with Sickle Cell.
September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month.
Which is why each year since 2017, during September, Tenecia has operated her own sickle cell initiative called ‘Paint the Town Red’ in her hometown of Hillsboro in honor of her brother. It’s a drive that encourages blood donations so that people affected, like Tenecia, can live a normal life.
“We are present, and we are living with this illness daily and we have some that didn’t make it, but they are my sickle cell warriors still to this day, and my brother and his namesake will live on because we’re painting the town red for National Sickle Cell Awareness month,” Tenecia said. “But the treatments are so much better now because we do even exchange blood transfusions, and it’s been a game-changer in my life. In the small town of Hillsboro, one town at a time.”
You can find more information on the Red Cross’s website or CDC website.
The post Your Wellbeing: Sickle Cell Awareness Month appeared first on WHNT.
