# @americanredcross on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CyEesnLLa4p
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/9306359-americanredcross-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/a0bbad3408.jpg
- **Posted:** 2023-10-06T20:00:24.000+00:00

## Caption

To any other child, jumping on a trampoline is a simple thrill and adventure, but when Skylar was younger, that excitement came at a cost: a sickle cell pain crisis.

She was diagnosed with sickle cell disease at birth and has been managing its symptoms her entire life under the guidance of her parents.

“At the age of 4, my parents advised me about sickle cell and always told me to stay hydrated and to not push myself so hard,” Skylar said.

It was when she was playing at a trampoline park, jumping to her heart’s content, that she realized what pushing too hard really meant. She ended up with a sickle cell pain crisis and unbearable levels of pain.

Sickle cell disease distorts red blood cells and prevents them from flowing smoothly and carrying oxygen to the rest of the body. When these red blood cells get stuck in the blood vessels and block blood flow throughout the body, the result is a pain crisis.

Now 16 years old, Skylar still experiences these crises, with pain ricocheting through her arms and legs. Blood transfusions offer much-needed relief from this severe pain and other complications of sickle cell disease. But when you’re a teenager balancing hospital stays with the pressure of school work, stress and anxiety builds.

“If I’m in the hospital it’s hard to keep up with my work,” she said. “I’m always worried about those assignments piling up and with those thoughts, it can be really scary.”

There is a positive side to her time surrounded by medical professionals, though. It has influenced her dreams of becoming a nurse, and she knows one day she’ll have a hand in saving other people’s lives. ❤️

You could be a lifesaving match for a patient with sickle cell disease and be the reason why they don't stop pursuing their dreams. Make a difference in someone’s life by scheduling an appointment to give blood. Tap on the link in our bio to get started. #TeamUp4SickleCell

#RedCross #DonateBlood #GiveBlood #BloodDonor #DonateBloodSaveLives #GiveBloodSaveLives #SickleCellDisease #SickleCell #SickleCellAwareness #SickleCellWarrior

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 15,199
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## Tags

donatebloodsavelives, redcross, givebloodsavelives, sicklecelldisease, blooddonor, sicklecellwarrior, sicklecellawareness, giveblood, donateblood, sicklecell, teamup4sicklecell

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