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BTG's 2022 "Julius Tidwell" Scholarship Recipient
Trenidey Tyson
Trenidey is a young lady transitioning from pediatric to adulthood and she is doing great things! She was awarded our "2022" Julius Tidwell scholarship. This scholarship is special to BTG because the funds were donated to us by Mr. Johnnie Tidwell of Maryland. Mr. Tidwell wanted to do something to ensure the legend of his brother Julius Tidwell, who believed in education, would live on through the life of Sickle Cell Warriors who are thriving academically. Trenidey's goal is to work in the medical field as a Phlebotomist and we know she will accomplish great things in anything she sets out to do. Congratulations Trenidey, we are so proud of you!
BTG wants to honors: Clarice Reid
Clarice Reid joined the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute in 1973 and began working in the Sickle Cell Disease Program, a national program established by an act of Congress to educate, support, and treat those living with sickle cell disease. As the chief of the Sickle Cell Disease Branch, she spearheaded important advancements in research and treatment. In 1994, she was named director of NHLBI’s Division of Blood Diseases and Resources. The Office of NIH History interviewed Ms Reid. Check out the interview!
The Office of NIH History interviewed Dr. Reid for an oral history, which includes her perspective on her career after retiring in 2018: http://bit.ly/3kHUkO9. #BlackHistoryMonth2023 #BHM #SickleCell #NHLBI #NIH
Congratulations to Beatrice (10/22)
Celebration of Life (2022)
Questylleon Dodson-McElroy was born December 16, 2000 to Rajahnique Dodson and Antonio McElroy. Quest was born in Homer, Louisiana. He attended Ollie Detwiler Elementary, West Preparatory Jr High, and Western High school. At the age of Ten he landed his first job as a sign holder at Dollar store, he also cut grass, cleaned, and delivered bounce houses with aunt Meka & uncle Tony. He loved skateboarding, rapping, music, making people laugh, football, four-wheeler riding, animals, and fashion. Quest was a humbled young man all around and will truly be missed.
We will miss our Warrior that we knew as "Quest". Dr Rashid we know he was special to you!, (As all of them are)!
BTG wants to say thank you to Quest's Mom Nikki for coming to our fist motorcycle ride for Sickle Cell. We were able to share her and Quest's story, as we brought Sickle Cell Awareness to the motorcycle community.
Age: 23
Diagnosis: Sickle Cell Anemia
USA
Group: Bridging The Gap
Hi, my name is Beatrice and I’m 23 years old. I was born and raised here in Las Vegas. At the age of two I was diagnosed with sickle cell anemia. Currently I am a nursing student at Nevada State College, and I plan on specializing in pediatric hematology once I graduate. I am excited to be apart of this foundation to help out people just like me, and how to transition into adulthood with sickle cell because it can be hard!
Age: 34
Diagnosis: Sickle Cell Anemia
USA
Group: Bridging The Gap
I was born in Lagos, Nigeria where I was diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) at the age of 2 after having my first crisis. While in Nigeria, my family did well in managing my health with a combination of western and homeopathic treatments. At the age of 7, my family and I moved to Reno, Nevada in the USA. Unknown to us at the time, the high elevation and weather changes would have a very negative effect on my health and would immediately trigger a severe SCD crisis placing me in a life and death situation. Being in Reno, the healthcare professionals were unfamiliar with my diagnosis and how to treat it. They informed my parents to begin making funeral arrangements. Being the faithful Christians they were, my parents refused to give up hope even at a time when the medical professionals had. After continued prayers, a new doctor volunteered to take on my case. Dr. Kathleen Christopherson was open with my parents on her lack of knowledge regarding Sickle Cell Disease, but assured them that she would learn in order to save their son. She was true to her word. Though it would not be my last near death experience, that first memorable experience was the one that would shape and direct my future aspirations. The whole ordeal, and Dr. Christopherson, created such a positive experience for me that I decided I would grow up to work in healthcare, specifically in a hospital. Now at 34, though I have experienced 4 near death crises due to my Sickle Cell, I have also become stronger because of them. I now work as a hospital case manager. I carry the faith of my parents and the determination of Dr. Christopherson to work with me daily in order to help others and their families during their own times of need and uncertainty even as times change and the world now battles with a new healthcare crisis and pandemic. I will continue to use my knowledge and experience both as a patient and a healthcare professional to help others. It has become even more of a passion to be specifically able to help others with my same diagnosis. This is why I joined Bridging The Gap and continue to advocate for other SCD patients. I have come to understand that although I have been given a diagnosis, that diagnosis does not, should not, and will not define or limit me in this life. It is my prayer that I will be blessed enough to help other SCD patients understand the same.