My name is Mikari and my 16th birthday was June 23, 2020.  Last year this time I was dreaming about what my big Sweet Sixteen Party would be like.  Who knew that so much could change, so quickly?  In March, a whole Pandemic arrived and on top of that, I was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma.  

I've learned a lot during this challenging time.  I realized that I'm blessed to be here and I'm still alive.  Other kids aren't so lucky. So instead of sitting around being sad that my Sweet 16 Party dreams won't come to reality, I wondered what I could do to help someone else. 

My mom said we could donate the money we would've spent on a Sweet Sixteen party to help someone else in need.

 We decided to help kids with Sickle Cell Anemia.  

 I go to the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children's Hospital of Atlanta (Egleston) to be treated for my cancer and children with Sickle Cell Disease come to Aflac for help and treatments too. It’s a painful genetic blood disorder that affects one out of 365 African Americans. 

So instead of asking for presents for my birthday, I would love for everyone to join me by donating $16, $160, $1600 or more to help me reach my goal of $16,000 in support of Sickle Cell Funding at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.

LET's do this!!!  #mikaristrong #sweet16bdaygiveback    TEAM work mkes the DREAM work!!  Your support is greatly appreciated!!