Taft Resolution 

Meet three grateful recipients:

Monique
George
Connor

A typical day provides Monique Sims with a balancing act between church choir practice, homework, designing sets for her high school's play and winning bowling trophies. Every day also brings the unknown of a chronic illness: sickle cell anemia. 

Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disease that affects more than 80,000 people in the United States, ninety percent of whom are of African descent. Sickle cell patients, especially young children, may be easily overwhelmed by infections and require life-saving blood units.

Monique was diagnosed when she was just five months old, and throughout her life she has received blood transfusions to combat infections and lung problems. During her first year in high school, an average cold developed into pneumonia, and Monique's health quickly deteriorated. Her grandmother found her passed out on the floor in their home, so she rushed her to Children's Hospital. Monique immediately received blood transfusions to help her over-come the illness. After almost a week in the hospital, Monique was allowed to go home. "The blood is always there when we go to Children's," said Monique's Grandmother, Geraldine Sims. "I'm eternally grateful.

Although most patients will not be cured of sickle cell disease, medical care and blood transfusions help manage and prevent the pain and serious complications of the disease. 

"I have never received any blood myself," Mrs. Sims said, but blood donors have "helped my grandaughter many times. Because of (donors), she has enjoyed a healthy life. Thanks." 

Please continue to help patients like 14-year-old Monique. Contact a blood bank near you and schedule your next life-saving appointment. Giving Blood Saves Lives.