Precious N., 18

Precious is a Form Three student at a nearby local day school. She lives with her sister, who supports them by running a small vegetable business. The little income they earn is used to pay Precious’s school fees and afford just one meal a day. Despite these challenges, Precious remains active in school and serves as the chairperson of the environmental club. She aspires to become a teacher in the future. She came for a follow-up visit after learning about a charity organization supporting underprivileged children living with sickle cell disease and experiencing frequent crises. Precious shared that she has been feeling unusually tired and recently missed her midterm exams due to extreme fatigue and a severe headache. She has a history of anemia, with a previously recorded hemoglobin level of 5.8 g/dL, but has been unable to afford the recommended diet or medications. She also experiences shortness of breath with minimal physical activity.

Precious was diagnosed with moderate anaemia alongside sickle cell anaemia. She received treatment that included antibiotics, rehydration fluids, and medication specifically for managing sickle cell. Once her condition stabilized, she was discharged to continue her recovery at home. During a follow-up call from a Helpster volunteer, her mother expressed immense gratitude, saying that Precious had fully recovered and returned to her normal self. Precious’s mother also shared her experience, saying, “I can’t even put into words how worried I was when my son fell ill and wasn’t improving despite using local herbs. Receiving proper hospital treatment was the greatest gift our family could ever get. Thank you.”

Prognosis is good. She was treated and given drugs needed and if this could have not been done on time it could have resulted to organ damage, pain, and increased risk of infection