Mother honors her sons fight for others during Sickle Cell Awareness Month

DECATUR, Ala. (WHNT) – September is Sickle Cell Anemia Awareness Month.

The month is designated to focus on the need for research and treatment to improve the quality of life for those affected.

It’s a disease that is not often thought about, but it affects many lives each year. Sickle cell anemia is a disease characterized by the sickling of red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body.

Although considered rare in the United States, the inherited blood disorder affects about around 100,000 people according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Many of those affected are African American.

Sickle cell anemia took the life of Semaj.

”Semaj was the biggest heart that you could ever meet. The nicest guy you can ever I would say,” said his mother, Tenice Johnson.  “But before he passed away, he had a desire to help others with sickle cell,” said Johnson. “He wanted to put the word out about sickle cell.”

Each year Tenise Johnson hosts an event that her son created before his death. Through the Semaj Sickle Cell Warriors, the event not only raises funds for research but educates those on early detection.

“Since he’s been gone, we as a family have gathered to try to keep his legacy going. We pretty much keep his dream afloat,” Johnson explained.

According to the CDC, sickle cell is the most common genetic blood disorder in the United States. A newborn has a greater chance of being affected when both parents have the sickle cell trait.

“Sickle cell trait says that you have an abnormal gene that once it’s mated with another abnormal gene then you will have the chances of having a baby born with sickle cell disease,” explained Pamela Thompson, North Alabama Sickle Cell Foundation.

Thanks to early detection and new treatments about half of all people who have sickle cell anemia live into their 50’s.

To give to Semaj Sickle Cell Warriors, you can send money through CashApp to $semajsmile.

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