You can’t tell a book by its cover. Everyone should take the time to get to know someone like Derrick. He is an outgoing, energetic kid who likes music, reading and people. A member of the student council, choir and most anything else he can participate in, Derrick enjoys school.

He appears to be a common kid among others. However, he suffers from a disease no one can see.

Sickle cell disease affects about one in 400 African-Americans. It is the most common inherited blood disorder in the United States. The red blood cell takes the shape of a sickle (half moon). This oxygen-carrying cell can become clogged and cause blockage. The outcome of this blockage may lead to intense pain, infections to vital organs, gallstones, breathlessness, rapid heartbeat, delayed growth and strokes. There are many other health problems this disease can cause.

We were told about Derrick’s condition when he was a newborn. The doctor provided us with information on the disease and a journal to record his health. It all seemed so overwhelming at first. Reading the books to learn about the disease was so helpful in the preparation for future care.

We began to educate our son’s caregivers and our families of his needs. While we knew we couldn’t protect him from every infection or fall, we needed to know what to do in case of these occurrences. Our outlook was that the more people we could inform, the better care our child would receive.

The Children’s Hospital staff was always so helpful and informative with this aspect of our lives, too. Everyone from the doctors to the nutritionist offered a helping hand whenever we hit a trouble spot. The hospital stays have been few, but the experience was positive. Our questions and concerns never went unanswered. The staff at the Children’s Hospital has become an extended family; we have never felt alone in this struggle.

At this time, there isn’t a cure for sickle cell. Derrick has been active in many studies to help find a cure for this disease. He was one of the first patients in Peoria to participate in the screening process to prevent the first stroke in children with sickle cell.

This process is the transcranial doppler ultrasound; Derrick was proud to be one of the first to be asked to do this. The studies and progress that the medical community is doing may someday lead to a cure for sickle cell. Derrick will always be willing to participate in any way he can to help achieve this goal.

Derrick is very knowledgeable about his disease. He takes steps to be responsible for his health, such as eating properly and drinking plenty of water. He is able to participate in extracurricular activities, like karate, but knows there are limits.

Being a good student and having fun with his friends are very important to him. Derrick is very ambitious and hard working. He doesn’t allow much of anything to stand in his way of living his life.

While most kids would like to run and play the days away, Derrick is aware that this may not be best for him. You may find him reading a book or playing a video game. He can recognize his body’s need for rest and nourishment. He has the best attitude and outlook at all times.

Derrick has made it easy on us to care for him. We couldn’t ask for more. He unknowingly encourages us to pursue the need for education, studies and progress for the cure of sickle cell. In the end, maybe he’ll write the book for others to read.

Keena