Every Warrior Has a Story. Every Caregiver Has a Journey.
When people hear the words "sickle cell disease," they often think of a blood disorder. What they don't always see are the countless warriors living with chronic pain, frequent hospitalizations, fatigue, uncertainty, and the emotional challenges that come with a lifelong diagnosis.
What they also don't see are the caregivers.
The parents who spend sleepless nights in hospital rooms. The family members who carry the weight of worry. The loved ones who feel helpless watching someone they care about suffer through pain crises and medical complications.
While sickle cell disease affects the body, it can also have a profound impact on mental health for both warriors and caregivers alike.
Living with a chronic illness can lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, isolation, and emotional exhaustion. Yet these conversations are often overlooked.
As someone who has witnessed the effects of sickle cell disease firsthand as a caregiver, I have seen the physical pain, emotional challenges, and resilience that exist within this community. I have seen the strength it takes to keep moving forward despite uncertainty. I have also seen the need for greater awareness, education, support, and compassion.
That is why I created The Red Cell Project.
Our mission is simple: to ensure that every sickle cell warrior and caregiver feels seen, supported, and empowered.
The message behind the Still She Rose initiative is one that deeply resonates with the sickle cell community.
The rose symbolizes resilience, the ability to grow through adversity and continue rising despite life's challenges. Every day, sickle cell warriors embody that resilience. Every day, caregivers demonstrate that same strength through their unwavering support and sacrifice.
Your donation will help support wellness programming, leadership development, mental health initiatives, and outreach efforts through the Still She Rose nonprofit organization, empowering women and young girls to overcome challenges and become leaders in their communities.
Together, we can create a future where sickle cell warriors are understood, caregivers are supported, mental health is prioritized, and every individual facing adversity is reminded that their story matters.
Because even through the pain, there is strength.
Even through the struggle, there is hope.
And still, we rise.
Thank you for your support.
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Still She Rose is a wellness program for leaders, women and teens in the pageant industry. Funded by the B4ACUSA Foundation, wellness program initiatives are open to all pageant community members.
The ROSE is symbolic of the spirit that grows within each of us when proper care and attention is applied.
Together, we can encourage wellness through self care, positive body image, renewed self esteem and affirmation of one's identity beyond pageantry. We aim to engage in a conversation of support, honesty, reflection and awareness, in order to promote wellness as the foundation of the pageant industry.
Because each of us can say, She Struggled; and Still She Rose.
