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Friday, March 29, 2024

Local woman overcomes sickle cell to help others

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A young woman’s fight with a disease has not stopped her from rising above it and helping others like herself.

Breana Allen, 18, a 2013 graduate of Pike High School was born with sickle cell disease, an inherited disorder in which the red blood cells are abnormally shaped. According to kidshealth.org, this abnormality results in severe painful episodes, damage to body organs and serious infections.

The disease has caused Breana to be in and out of the hospital since she was 5 years old.

“It’s sort of like mind over matter. Being in the hospital for so many days, being away from my family…not being in school as often…it has taken its toll on me,” said Allen, when describing how the disease affects her.

She described a typical day with sickle cell as “you never know how your day is going to be.”

She says she does everything any normal person would do and she deals with the disease by taking it day by day.

Robyn Allen, Breana’s mother, says some of the challenges of caring for a child with sickle cell are always making sure her daughter doesn’t get too hot or too cold.

Allen explained that her daughter has to stay hydrated and relaxed because if not, a “pain crisis,” which is extreme pain to a body part, can be triggered.

“It’s just a lot that you don’t think about everyday with a normal, healthy child,” Allen said.

She says her daughter’s painful episodes usually occur in her lower back. She takes medication to try and treat it, but when days go by and the pain is still there, they head to the hospital.

Breana developed sickle cell because her mother and father both carry a trait. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, approximately one in 10 African-Americans carry a sickle cell trait.

Breana has been a patient at Riley’s Hospital for Children for years and commented that the hospital plays a very important role in her life.

“Riley has done so much. When I’m in there, they’re like another family. I’m home away from home because I’ve been there so long and they make me feel so comfortable and loved,” said the teenager.

During her time at Riley, she volunteers with the Riley Child Life staff, which is a program that uses therapeutic activities to minimize a patient’s stress.

“All the things they do with the kids, like help them get their minds off the pain and do fun activities with them…I like to do that,” she added.

Riley held its 5th Annual Riley Hospital Cancer Center graduation recently and honored Breana and eight other patients as Riley Champions.

According to Jason Mueller, the regional communications manager for Riley Children’s Foundation, a Riley Champion is a Riley children’s patient between the ages 8 and 18, who has overcome medical obstacles and has found strength to give back to others in the community through philanthropically or community service.

Mueller talked about Breana’s service with Riley’s Child Life staff and how she volunteers two times a week serving patients like herself.

“Through the determination to give back, through the courage and commitment to help other patients is why Breana is a 2013 Riley Champion,” said Mueller. “Breana is the perfect example of how supporting other people and being there for them helps others persevere through challenges.”

Breana says having sickle cell has made her a stronger person and along with Riley Hospital, her mother and grandmother have been there throughout her entire journey.

Her message to others suffering with sickle cell disease is, “Keep your head up. Don’t let it slow you down, stay positive and be anything you want to be.”

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