Menu
Information
Our Story
Zoey’s Bio
My name is Zoey Gayle and I live with Sickle Cell Anemia. I am eleven years old. My journey with sickle cell disease has been challenging at times. I receive monthly blood exchanges. Sometimes, I am absent from school due to complications from my chronic illness. I love Math and Science. I also love to write, act, sing, swim, dance, travel, and ride my bike. I believe it is important to spread awareness about sickle cell disease because many African American people live with this disease. I will become a hematologist when I grow up, so I am able to help people living with sickle cell disease. I will participate in research, preventative measures, and finding a cure for sickle cell disease. Currently, I am helping to spread awareness about sickle cell disease through my nonprofit organization, Zoey’s Sickle Power, Inc which I co-founded alongside my mother Jennifer Fletcher. I hope that you will join us in spreading awareness, education, and advocacy!
Our Story
I was so excited to hold my baby girl for the first time after giving birth. She was beautiful! All ten fingers and toes! Never in my wildest dreams that I would have though that just two short weeks after giving birth that I would receive what seemed to be the most devasting news of my life. Zoey’s pediatrician called to inform me that Zoey had sickle cell disease SS. I remember sitting up in my bed quietly, holding the phone, speechless. I cried for a while before breaking the news to her father.
Zoey had her first pain crises at about eight months old. She had a piercing cry; one I will never forget. Her fingers were so swollen. It looked as if they were going to bust. After giving her Motrin a few times, over the course of a few hours, we decided to bring her to the hospital to be evaluated. After reviewing lab work and presenting symptoms, the doctor confirmed that Zoey was in fact having her first crises. She was given IV morphine and sent home. Life has never been the same. Prior to starting monthly blood exchanges, Zoey missed lots of school. She constantly had make-up work to complete. She also struggled with the emotional stress of being out of school for weeks at a time and returning to classmates who did not understand why she was out of school so much. Presently, Zoey is doing well. Though she still has some difficult days, and she must miss school, those days are far and few in between.
During our earlier years battling sickle cell anemia, I was in grad school studying to become a social worker. I can remember many sleepless nights sleeping on the hospital cot or up writing papers or studying for exams. Though it was no walk in the park, I persevered and graduated with honors earning my master’s degree in social work. I am currently working towards my social work clinical license in order to provide mental health counseling to the sickle cell community including patients living with sickle cell disease, their caregivers, and extended family.