Back in May, two of James Harrison’s adult children ended up in separate hospitals at the same time — prompting this proud and worried dad to wage a public awareness campaign about their disease.
But he didn’t just sound the alarm about sickle cell disease and ask for well-wishes. Harrison, 54, decided to run his first half-marathon as a way to draw attention and action.
“As a dad, when they are sick and you can’t do anything you try to soothe them,” Harrison said. “We were with our daughter in Knoxville and my mind was racing a thousand miles a minute, watching them go through pain. I wanted to do something.”
That’s when he told his wife he was going to run the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon, telling her, “Their bodies are always going through pain, so I am going to put my body through some pain.”
A marathon is 26.2 miles, and Harrison has never been a runner. He decided the half-marathon, at 13.1 miles, would be a more realistic goal. A challenge was taking shape; by August, he was training multiple days per week.
Harrison’s daughter, Jaleece is 23 and son James is 29. He resides in Nashville near other family members. Harrison serves as human resources manager at Arconic in Alcoa.
And because Harrison is on the board for Medical Regional Blood Center, he called media representative Kristy Altman to start a campaign there. He’s calling it One Dad Can. Harrison is asking 10,000 people to commit to donating blood. Transfusions are one of the ways sickle cell is treated.
To get his work family involved, Harrison got a blood drive scheduled at Arconic, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26. The public is encouraged to come and donate, to help save lives and help Harrison reach his goal. Each pint of blood donated has the potential to save three lives, Harrison said.
Sickle cell disease is a group of inherited red blood cell disorders, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Healthy blood cells are round and easily navigate through blood vessels to carry oxygen to all parts of the body. But in someone who has sickle cell disease, the red blood cells become hard and sticky. They are C-shaped not round, like a farm tool called a sickle.
The disease affects about 100,000 Americans, occurring in about 1 out of every 365 Black or African-American births. SCD occurs in about 1 out of every 16,300 Hispanic-American births. In addition to asking everyone to donate blood, Harrison is reaching out to also encourage more diverse blood donations.
Harrison and his wife of almost 30 years, MeShawn, have a third child, a daughter, who does not have sickle cell.
The disease is present on both sides of the Harrison family. His grandmother was the oldest living sickle cell patient; MaShown’s sister had SCD and died at the age of 35.
Both of Harrison’s children were diagnosed at birth. He said they have endured multiple hospital stays over the years. There is medication for SCD. Their main symptoms are acute pain due to the affect this disease has on their organs and limbs.
To help him reach the half-marathon finish line, Harrison joined the Knoxville Track Club whose members have offered their support and sound advice. This new runner has also joined a national fitness group called Black Men Run. Harrison also has a coach.
He didn’t realize the Knoxville marathon course is one of the toughest, with its rolling hills. He has also learned how important a good pair of running shoes are to success. Hydrating figures in as well.
“I didn’t know the running thing was such a thing,” Harrison said.
This week, Harrison completed a 13.1-mile run, now confident he will make it to the finish line on April 7. Even after the race is over, this new convert said he wants to make running a part of his everyday life.
On April 7, he will have several family members, coworkers and friends at the marathon to cheer him on. Harrison has a team of 12 runners who will be on the course too. He will be wearing his One Dad Can t-shirt.
“One dad can change the world,” he said. “Through commitment, action and network.”
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