Mariah Roberts, 11, received her first blood transfusion as a toddler.
She was diagnosed with sickle cell disease three days after she was born and spent most of her childhood in and out of the hospital.
The condition, which has no cure, causes red blood cells to have an irregular “sickle” shape, slowing or blocking blood and oxygen flow to certain parts of the body. Symptoms include pain, swelling, anemia, delayed growth, vision problems, frequent infections and stroke.
Roberts, the youngest of three children born to Tamara and Chris Roberts, hides her battle with a glowing smile.
The family focuses on love and faith, they told News 8, rather than pain and setbacks, and hopes their story will raise awareness of the disease and the life-changing impact of donating blood.
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