A four-year-old with sickle cell disease receives hundreds of responses from people all over the world. Her mom's friend had asked a simple favor from her Twitter followers after hearing that the child was struggling after a bone marrow transplant.
Theresa Chapple tweeted that Zion Hicks was having a tough time. She wrote asking people to send the child a get well card to make her smile. Soon, people from across the globe sent offers for Zion.
Shocked to receive about 900 responses
Sara Hicks, Zion's mom, told TODAY Parents that was a bit cynical of the world because of its current condition. So she was shocked upon hearing that her friend received about 900 responses from strangers.
The 34-year-old mom felt great because people who did not know them took the time to write to her daughter.
The friend understands the family well
Chapple, an epidemiologist, wanted to help Zion when she learned of the child's disease. She knows too well how most of the hospital services that support families have been suspended. She knows that families are feeling more isolated due to the pandemic, so she had hoped that cards would help boost the little girl's mood.
The friend explained that Sara had posted her daughter's photo, saying that the girl was having a hard time. The Trenton, New Jersey, mom said that Zion had not smiled for so long, so Chapple wanted to get her to smile.
She said that people offered to send things that Zion might need with her hospital stay. Some sent meal vouchers for the Hicks family. Others donated toys to help the children stuck in the hospital.
Took this earlier and noticed just now Z was kinda shivering. She normally is hot so I laid next to her and she snuggled... Posted by Zion, Warrior Princess: The Battle To Be Cured on Monday, October 12, 2020
Most serious type of sickle cell disease
Zion had the most serious type of sickle cell disease, sickle cell anemia, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It had caused her heart to enlarge, but even so, the little girl is outgoing. Sara said that her daughter is super funny because she always got something to say. She also said that the toddler is a happy kid.
Bone marrow transplant could cure the disease
Based on CDC, a successful bone marrow transplant could cure Zion's disease. However, finding a match is hard as only 23 percent of Black patients find a match, as compared to 77 percent for the whites, the "Be the Match" said.
Thankfully, there are five potential donors for Zion. To prepare her body for the transplant, she had to undergo chemotherapy that caused painful ulcers in her throat and mouth. The toddler had to gargle alcohol-based mouth wash to treat the sores three times per day.
Zion is immunocompromised right now because the donor bone marrow is still working inside her.
Sara said that the positive responses of the people on the Facebook page, "Zion, Warrior Princess: The Battle to be Cured" have helped boost their resolve. The Hicks expect to spend around six to eight weeks in the hospital for Zion to recover.
