Precious Lee, who was a patient at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital as a young child, finds herself back at The Costas Center all too often - this time with her young son.
Now 6, Melvin Johnson Jr. was diagnosed with sickle cell SC disease when he was born. Precious also has a form of sickle disease (SS).
According to the CDC, sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder that is present at birth and affects approximately 100,000 Americans. September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month.
Precious says initially they were upset, scared and hurt over the diagnosis, but they knew she was the right person to help him through it. "When I was a child, I had no one to talk to about what or how I was feeling. No one could understand. I will be that for our son."
Precious says the staff, nurses and doctors at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon "are like family to us. We've made so many life-long friends - they are always very loving and encouraging." She's known a few of them since she was a child in their care.
The family, including her mother Tammy, is working together toward finding a cure.
*Said Tammy, "I decided that something bigger had to be done in order to bring awareness to the community, assist families with financial support, and most importantly, encourage more studies and research to be done to find a cure for sickle disease."
They started their own non-profit organization, A Precious Organization, to raise awareness and help others cope with the disease. Their efforts have included support groups and fundraising walks to help patients with medical care and transportation. The organization also has petitioned politicians for policy development for improved treatments, medicines and research.
Melvin Jr. is doing great right now; his mom says he's "full of energy and life." He loves to play Fortnite and play with his puppy, Bear, alongside his sister. Jewel is 10, and carries the sickle cell trait.
"I have and will continue to tell anyone with a sick child or with sickle cell disease to take them to The Costas Center at Cardinal Glennon," says Precious. "They are the best and will take care of not just your child, but your whole family. I've trusted them with my life and my son's life as well."
She added, "We love watching them grow and the rewarding feeling they give us. The love, the hugs and kisses are always the best feeling in the world."
*Some information credited to A Precious Organization.
Now 6, Melvin Johnson Jr. was diagnosed with sickle cell SC disease when he was born. Precious also has a form of sickle disease (SS).
According to the CDC, sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder that is present at birth and affects approximately 100,000 Americans. September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month.
Precious says the staff, nurses and doctors at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon "are like family to us. We've made so many life-long friends - they are always very loving and encouraging." She's known a few of them since she was a child in their care.
The family, including her mother Tammy, is working together toward finding a cure.
*Said Tammy, "I decided that something bigger had to be done in order to bring awareness to the community, assist families with financial support, and most importantly, encourage more studies and research to be done to find a cure for sickle disease."
They started their own non-profit organization, A Precious Organization, to raise awareness and help others cope with the disease. Their efforts have included support groups and fundraising walks to help patients with medical care and transportation. The organization also has petitioned politicians for policy development for improved treatments, medicines and research.
Melvin Jr. is doing great right now; his mom says he's "full of energy and life." He loves to play Fortnite and play with his puppy, Bear, alongside his sister. Jewel is 10, and carries the sickle cell trait.
"I have and will continue to tell anyone with a sick child or with sickle cell disease to take them to The Costas Center at Cardinal Glennon," says Precious. "They are the best and will take care of not just your child, but your whole family. I've trusted them with my life and my son's life as well."
She added, "We love watching them grow and the rewarding feeling they give us. The love, the hugs and kisses are always the best feeling in the world."
*Some information credited to A Precious Organization.
