Mikayla Sarai Foundation

Meet Mikayla Sarai

"I've got big dreams, and thanks to you, I'm not letting Sickle Cell stop me from chasing them."

-Mikayla, Co-Founder, Mikayla Sarai Foundation 

At The Mikayla Sarai Foundation for Sickle Cell and Health Equity, we passionately unite the causes of sickle cell awareness and health equity. We invite you to join us in a movement of hope and healing.  With every donation we step closer to a day when the pain of Sickle Cell is but a memory for Mikayla and many like her. Here are some areas your donation will support us to move our mission forward:

1. Education and awareness: our initiatives aim to raise awareness about sickle cell disease and its impact on individuals and communities. Targeting education for both community members and partnership with healthcare professionals. Our partnership with Children's Minnesota assists us to educate and raise awareness in the African American community. 
2. Research and Advocacy: funding research products to advance the understanding of Sickle Cell disease and engage in advocacy efforts to promote policies that benefit individuals with sickle cell disease. We have partnered with Red Cross, Be the Match to advocate for policy change. 
3. Community Outreach: engage in activities to reach individuals with Sickle Cell, providing education and resources for living healthy lives with sickle cell in the Twin Cities area. 
4. Health Equity: collecting data on the social determinants of health and ensure equal access to quality healthcare. 

Mikayla's Story

From the moment Mikayla entered the world 15 years ago, she became a warrior in a battle against Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) — a genetic condition where red blood cells, which normally carry life-giving oxygen throughout the body, are abnormally shaped like crescents or sickles. These sickle shaped cells can get stuck in blood vessels, causing painful blockages, damaging organs, and leading to life-threatening complications.

 At the tender age of 15, Mikayla has already faced more health battles than most will in a lifetime. Since her first breath, Sickle Cell Disease has imposed daunting challenges, with countless hospital stays marking the rhythm of her young life. Her resilience has been tested through excruciating Vaso-occlusive crises, the breathlessness of Acute Chest Syndrome, the weakness brought on by Pneumonia, and the silent threat of a stroke at just three years old and another stroke just four months ago. Each episode, a testament to her enduring spirit.

Mikayla’s strength has been nothing short of heroic. Yet now, she approaches a pivotal moment in her journey — a Bone Marrow Transplant. Recognized as the sole cure for Sickle Cell Disease, this procedure promises a future unshackled from the pain she’s known all too well. But this hope comes with its own set of trials, demanding over a year for recovery and rehabilitation. It’s a testament to the belief that a life free from the clutches of Sickle Cell is within reach.

We are deeply grateful for your donation to the Mikayla Sarai Foundation for Sickle Cell and Health Equity. Your generosity is a powerful gesture that supports: vital research, advocacy, and the direct assistance needed to conquer Sickle Cell Disease. 

Thanks to you, we are one step closer to making a significant difference in the lives of those affected by this condition. Your contribution is the spark that fuels our mission for a healthier, more equitable future.

Support the cause, embrace the hope, and be a part of Mikayla’s story of triumph.

"It is cool to see how much people care. It's like every donation says 'We're with you. Mikayla,' and that means the world to me." 

-Mikayla, Co-Founder, Mikayla Sarai Foundation 

Propel Nonprofits is the 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor for Mikayla Sarai Foundation