After over a year of advocating to her medical team to take a chance on her, on November 9, 2017, Revée made history as the first adult in Western Canada to be cured of sickle cell disease through a stem cell transplant. Throughout this life-changing process, she held firmly to her faith in God as her anchor, while being entrusted to a new medical team trialing an innovative protocol. Join Revée as she shares her remarkable journey to health and how God made her dreams a reality.
Revée’s journey started at 2 years old when she was diagnosed with Sickle Cell Anemia. Sickle Cell Disease is a genetic disease known for it’s sickle shaped, rigid and sticky red blood cells. These cells stick to each other, get stuck in small vessels and can block blood flow to various areas of the body including organs, bones and joints. It’s characterized by painful crises, anemia, and infections to name a few.
Prior to transplant most people had no idea that Revée had been battling a blood disorder her entire life. She lived a secret life of countless appointments, medications, blood transfusions, red cell exchanges and surgeries. When she was at the hardest point in her sickle cell journey, no longer responsive to treatment, and ready to give up, thanks to her sister she was offered with the opportunity of a lifetime.. a stem cell transplant that could turn her life around. Confused and torn between the risks and benefits, she put her life in Gods hands and became the first adult in Western Canada to be cured of sickle cell anemia!
Revée’s road to stem cell transplant was not tough, however her health journey has given her a greater appreciation of life. She knows her journey has just begun but she is confident that God has brought her this far for a reason. She encourages individuals to never give up because your breakthrough might be around the corner. She thanks God for the strength He gave her to keep pushing through this journey and for her older sister Stephanie for putting her life on hold to fix hers. I guess you could say Revée’s getting a second chance at life but this time she gets to do it pain free.
