Sickle Cell Warrior of 48 years from St Louis, Missouri. I have Sickle Cell SC Disease. I was diagnosed, after being injured in a playground accident at the age of 2, while my family and I were residing in Chicago, Illinois. Since being diagnosed, medical advances and blood transfusions have allowd me to live a pretty normal life and experienced things I never thought I would be able to, such as obtaining a degree in psychology. However, nothing brings me more joy than being an active participant in the SCD community. I have been an advocate for all things Sickle Cell, since an early age. While attending college, fellow SCD warriors and I, lobbied to have mandatory genetic testing, for all babies born in the State of Missouri, at birth and at 6 months of age. I have volunteered at both St. Louis area children's hospitals, to support children during their hospital visits, and to encourage new parents receiving their newborn's SCD diagnosis for the first time. Throughout my life, I have been involved in fundraisers, support groups, walks, blood drives, etc., all in the name of Sickle Cell, not for acknowledgement, but to be a positive example to others, to encourage more involvement by those effected most by SCD, and to stress the importance of being a blood donor. Blood transfusions have saved my life, allowed me to see 48 blessed years of life, and continue my advocacy for the SCD community.