Hey Beautiful Sickle Cell Support Nonprofit was birthed in memory of my loving sister Zannettie. At the age of 5, Zannettie was diagnosed with sickle cell anemia type SS. She battled frequent crisis during her childhood because of the lack of knowledge about sickle cell anemia in the early 70s. That is partly due to how this disease affected mostly people of color. Our mother researched sickle cell and prayed for guidance on how to care for Zannettie. This allowed her to live a fulfilled life. She was an educator for 23 years and accomplished many milestones throughout her career. Her love for children and education was indescribable. Her desire was to be involved with the Sickle Cell Foundation, in which she had begun. 2019 changed her life. She contracted meningitis. This placed her on life support for 14 days. This did not stop Zannettie’s push for life. She overcame what doctors called a “miracle.”

Unfortunately, she immediately suffered from a simple fall that left her immobile. She underwent many procedures, rehabilitation, multiple lengthy hospital stays, and multiple obstacles. Throughout this “new way of life,” Zannettie continued to pour her all into her family and friends. We adopted the phrase, “Hey Beautiful” to greet each other daily followed by a kiss on the forehead. That was our way of bonding. She was the epidemy of a true “warrior.” She won battle after battle. Each time the doctors said that she would not survive, she pushed her way through. September 28th 2024, Zannettie put down her warrior’s cape. My last words to her that day was “Hey Beautiful” and I kissed her on her forehead.