Keep 500 Sick Kids Alive in Crisis-Hit Communities

Dear partners,

Splenic sequestration is one of the most lifethreatening complications sickle cell children face. It happens when the spleen suddenly traps large amounts of blood, causing a dangerous drop in hemoglobin. Without immediate treatment, many children collapse within hours. In Northern Nigeria, where blood shortages and long travel distances are common, splenic sequestration is a major cause of early childhood death.

Our project, Keep 500 Sickle Cell Kids Alive, is designed to address the root causes of this emergency. First, we provide hydroxyurea and preventive care that stabilize hemoglobin levels and reduce the frequency of severe anemia — the main trigger for sequestration. We also train caregivers to check their children’s spleen size daily, helping them detect early warning signs before the crisis becomes fatal. In communities where hospitals are far away, this simple skill saves lives.

Your donations also help families access safe blood more quickly when emergencies occur. Many parents spend hours searching for donors during a crisis; your support helps us connect them to reliable facilities, cover transportation costs, and reduce delays that often determine whether a child survives. By strengthening preventive care, caregiver education, and emergency access, we are reducing the number of children who reach the point of lifethreatening sequestration.

A $25 donation helps us provide hydroxyurea, caregiver training, and emergency support that directly prevent splenic sequestration. Your generosity keeps children safe and gives families the tools they need to act quickly when every minute matters.

Thank you for helping us protect these vulnerable children.