As a grateful recipient of the Maiden Dotty Nicholas Sickle Cell Scholarship Grant, I thank the organization for their financial contribution towards the completion of my post-secondary education. The Dotty Nicholas Scholarship Grant provides financial assistance for post-secondary students with sickle cell anemia.

Sickle cell anemia is a blood disorder that affects hemoglobin, the protein found in red blood cells that help with the transportation of oxygen throughout the body. Unfortunately I inherited two irregular genes that cause my red blood cells to change its shape from ‘normal flexible and round shaped cells, to more rigid, curved in the shape of a crescent moon. A sickle cell crisis usually occurs when my cells clump together in a blood vessel causing me severe pain in my chest, arms, back, legs, stomach, and difficulty breathing. Throughout my growth: I made numerous trips to the hospital due to sickle cell crisis. My frequent visits build a bond between Dotty, my Mother, and myself; this made our relationship more than just a nurse/patient relationship, but a friend and mentor. She help instilled a belief of God in my life along with the importance of education, the gratitude for life I was given when I found my situation to be frustrating.

Due to the inspirational role she played in my upbringing, I aspired to become a nurse. I am pleased that she has gone above and beyond to help me achieve my educational ambitions.  I am currently in a nursing program and this scholarship has helped in paying for some of my secondary education fees. As a young adult battling sickle cell anemia, I have worried about all the time spent in the hospital and away from school and work. It’s hard keeping up with the school work, plus funding my school semester, books, and travel costs.

When experiencing a sickle cell crisis, the time spent hospitalized varies; for me, from one to four weeks at a time. This scholarship grant helped to alleviate some of the financial burdens and stresses I experienced.  I am so blessed and appreciative to Dotty Nicholas and all others that helped put this scholarship together. When trying to express how grateful I am for this grant in words I find myself short. The gratitude I feel is beyond words.

With thanks
Tasha Addo