Sickle Cell Awareness Month takes place in the US in September and has a worldwide day of recognition on June 19, but those who suffer from the debilitating disease must face his symptoms and challenges on a full -time basis. Although he mainly influences black communities, Sikkel cell touches the life of all colors and confidence and the friendship between high school athlete JD Slajchert and his biggest fan, Luc Bodden must remind us that more attention and understanding of sickle cell is really the key to crush it.
For his part, JD (John David) Slajchert was a popular basketball player in high school when a Lifechanging -meeting with the young Luc Bodden placed him on a journey of discovery that would reverse the roles and make the hero and Slajchert the inspired follower. Determined to continue Luc’s legacy after his early death, and to improve the results for others with sickle cell disease, Slajchert wrote the emotional novel, Moonflower, and remains the Lucstrong Foundation champion.
The campaigner sat down with M&F to talk about his continuous dedication to have a positive impact in such an important area. “In the beginning, when I met Luc, I had never actually heard of sickle cell disease, let alone even a basic knowledge of its meaning or how it influences the body in the least,” says Slajchert. “I want others like me, who at some point did not know anything, ask questions without feeling bad and looking for the right information.”
What is sickle cell?
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic blood disorder. It is not viral or bacterial, so it is not contagious but rather inherited when a child receives two copes from the sickle cells (one of each parent). Although it is most common in people from African, Mediterranean, Central Eastern and Indian descent, this can affect everyone. Sickle cell disease caused red blood cells to become sicklyWhich means they are stiff and sticky and leads to infections, pain, anemia and organ damage. In many cases it can be cured through bone marrow or stem cell transplants, but remains a chronic condition that requires lifelong care and is often fatal. One study reports That SDC affects 100,000 people in the United States, with more than 700 people in the US annually.
Slajchert played basketball for the UC Santa Barabara Gauchos, when he was inextricably linked to the disease. As an avid fan, SCD patient Luc Bodden just wanted to meet his hero. “His older sister founded a basketball game for us to play against each other, despite the fact that I was 17 and he was 6, and I was about his own height. Luc seemed to don’t care,” the athlete recalls, lovingly. “Luc tore the ball out of my hands and came straight to me and immediately spoke a whole group of waste. His spicy, witty personality immediately shone and it made me so intrigued to learn more. I was so impressed by his confidence.”
That loyal encounter would lead to an epic band that started with basketball, but went much deeper and went through mutual respect. “By spending more time with Luc, I also saw his resilience and perseverance,” says Slajchert. “He had so much knowledge and such a unique zest for life for life at such a young age that I would come and learn to learn was just a part of his magic. Luc always made everyone the happiness to smile with him.”
Research into the disease that influenced his new friend became a serious mission and Slajchert was shocked by what he discovered. “Sickle cell disease is a difficult and complex disease for countless reasons,” he tells M&F. “And not all of these difficulties are purely medical. It is a seriously under -financed, undervalued and subordinated disease.”
Awareness of sickle cell
Unfortunately, there are still many misconceptions around sickle cell, such as the incorrect conviction that it only affects black people. SCD is genetic, no seed, and diagnosing it can be difficult because the symptoms vary or be too late to develop. “A few early indications that people should be aware of in their child that this disease is possible, are usually episodes of severe and random attacks of non -preaching pain that take place everywhere in the body,” explains Slajchert.
“The reason for the unpredictable locations of pain is because it is a blood disease that can influence any large organ at any time. The symptoms and complications of sickle cell disease can begin at any age. You can see that babies start to show some of these symptoms when it is to fight that it is a time and an extremely deterioration.”
Luc Bodden underwent a bone marrow transplant of 7 years, but died when he was only 10 years old. The Lucstrong Foundation was founded in honor of him by his parents Matthew and Stacy Bodden, and the work has since been close to the heart of Slajchert and continued to increase consciousness through His first novel, MoonflowerInspired by their friendship. He also facilitates better communication between donors and children. “Unfortunately, what surprises me the most about this disease is the shocking amount of racial inequalities and inequalities around it,” shares Slajchert of his experience. “It is generally argued that because it is mainly considered a ‘black’ disease, not so much research and financing have been assigned to finding more affordable healings and treatments.”
Slajchert says that he is forced to talk about SCD to restore this inequality. “In the coming fall I am also ready to give a TEDx talk in Unity Park in Greenville, South Carolina,” he shares.
As part of his work, the Lucstrong Foundation offers subsidies to families with children who go through the complex bone marrow transplantation process. “As you can imagine, the financial burden that these families endure is incredibly important and cumbersome,” says Slajchert. “That is why this help offers a much needed radius of support for those who are most in need. It is best that families can use this subsidy, how they are most needed to ask any questions. They could use it to help with unforeseen extra medical costs, groceries for groceries, or we even have something simple as a hospital. Parking accounts alone.”
The relationship between sickle cell and exercise
Those with the sickle cell pull (SCT), which means that they only wear one sickle cells, can often exercise and exercise at a high level. The NFL’s Ryan Clark was diagnosed with SCT in 2007 While playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers after the great height experienced during a match against the Denver Broncos caused complications that later required surgery. Clark managed his condition and won a super bowl in 2009 with the Steelers. On the other hand, people with both genes, sustainable sickle cell disease, run a much higher risk of serious complications during more strenuous sports.
“However, it promises to see that Research suggests that light-to-effective exercise individuals SCD can offer some health benefits”Says Slajchert.” This type of exercise can include an increased daily walk or specifically customized cardios sessions on a stationary bicycle. Science has shown that this form of exercise has contributed to increasing the surface so that oxygen and nutrients could flow between blood and muscles. All this is promising not only physical for those who fight against SCD, but also mentally. “
In September, just like at a different time of the year, Slajchert continues to increase awareness that sickle cell disease deserves that way. His position on Spectrum News 1, entitled Beyond The Sport: JD Slajchert and the Lucstrong Foundation, was recently nominated for an Emmy.
“I want to see that more individuals come forward and brave for those unspoken millions around the world who silently wage war with this disease on a daily basis,” he says M&F. “They need our help. I know, and clearly understand that a loud voice for sickle cell disease is my existence of existence on the basis of my experience in the first hand in looking at Luc Punch after bumps against this disease every moment of his life, but I would like to challenge others to do the same and march next to us.
JD Slajchert will deliver his TEDx talk in Unity Park in Greenville, South Carolina, where he will speak more about his work with SCD and Luc’s Legacy on November 19, 2025. Click here to attend the event.
Click here for more information about the Lucstrong Foundation.
To follow the progress of JD Slacjchert on Instagram, Click here.
#Slajchert #honors #youth #friendship #increase #sickle #cell #consciousness #Spier #Fitness