During pregnancy, her mother was told that Teara Norris had sickle cell anemia and that if she carried her child to full term, either she or her child would die.

Both survived. Teara’s mother also persevered when physicians predicted that her only daughter would not make it past age 5---then the physicians extended Teara’s predicted lifespan to age 12.

Now 35 and the mother of two sons age 15 and 3, Teara is a strong advocate for the American Red Cross’ blood donor program and a role model to everyone who hears her story.  She has talked about her experience with sickle cell to audiences in churches, at conventions, and in schools. Teara reaches out particularly to the African-American community.

That’s because Teara needs between four and eight blood transfusions annually to survive. Blood transfusion remains an important therapeutic intervention in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD), aiming to both increase the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood and to reduce circulation obstruction, potentially causing injury to organs and intense pain.

Blood type and compatibility are not generally based on race. But select rare blood types more generally found in African-American donors are needed to support patients with sickle cell disease. Nationally, the number of African-Americans who need blood transfusions exceeds the number of African-Americans who donate blood.

Teara is also involved with the Red Cross’ Dr. Charles Drew Program. Named in honor of an African American physician who developed ways to process and store blood plasma, this program encourages African Americans to give blood. Its members assist at blood drives and help support those with sickle cell disease who need regular transfusions.

Teara grew up in St. Louis, where she learned early that she had to be strong to handle this painful disease. “My mom instilled in me the belief that I was going to live a full life,” Teara recalls.  “She always made me believe that I was strong enough to deal with it and when I asked why I had the disease and my two brothers did not, she told me that boys aren’t strong enough to handle this disease.”   

For Teara, very hot baths even in the torrid St Louis weather and heated blankets and heading pads were the norm.  She has learned to consume hydration drinks with coconut water and to carefully watch her diet to build her strength.

She also tried daily hydroxyurea doses that help some sickle cell patients reduce the frequency of painful crises and might reduce the need for blood transfusions and hospitalizations.

“That did not work for me, but I am taking a drug called Oxbryta which interferes with the first step of the process that causes red blood cells to distort into a sickle shape and slow or obstruct blood flow.” she adds. “It does offer some relief.”

Throughout her battle against sickle cell, Teara has stayed positive and found solutions through trial and error.  Her mother was insistent on Teara’s having a normal childhood.  She went to Children’s Hospital’s Camp Crescent from age 7 to 12.  There children learned to swim in cold water, do crafts and enjoy campfires, with the help of medical staff prepared to meet the special needs of campers who are being treated for sickle cell disease. Teara has since shared her story with Camp Crescent campers.

The illness did affect Teara’s ability to pursue higher education.  She missed her entire sophomore year in high school due to illness and had emergency gall bladder surgery as a freshman in college.  But she persevered.  Teara earned a nurse assistant certificate, and because of her positive, can-do attitude, was assigned to help rehab patients in the clinic where she worked for eight years, helping patients there manage their disabilities.

She has also had some frightening moments—like the time she was alone in her apartment with her then 3-year-old son and in such pain that she could not dial 911.  He did it for her.   

“My son has been watching over me even more as he has matured.  He is pretty vigilant, but he knows I want to be independent, to move forward and to make a difference. As a sickle cell patient, there are so many things you are told you can’t do,” she said.  “We were told we couldn’t swim, but you can if you prepare your body for cold water.  I was a pom-pom girl in high school, and I learned when to take my medicine to make sure I got through the routine without have an episode.  And when I do have an episode, I am so grateful that I have a great support system that helps me when I am in the hospital.

“My mother always told me to speak up for myself and for others. I have done that and will continue to tell my story to help others realize that they can manage this disease and other hardships.”