David Dandridge Jr. was born with sickle cell disease but was not diagnosed until the age of two after suffering a pain crisis. The most common genetic blood disorder in the U.S., sickle cell disease can cause severe pain, tissue and organ damage and even strokes. For patients battling the disease like David, regular blood transfusions are critical to managing extreme pain and life-threatening complications.
“Whenever I have received a blood transfusion, it was because it was a matter of life or death,” said David. “That is very scary to think about.”
At 18 years old, this painful disease disrupted his dreams of joining the military and becoming a law enforcement officer when he experienced a bout with acute chest syndrome. David persevered past his pain and successfully completed college at Morgan State University and later University of Phoenix. He also became a proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., married his high school sweetheart and became a father.
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