(ThyBlackMan.com) Seventeen is a magical time in life for a lot of teenagers. They are preparing to embark upon the next adventure of their life. Many are excited about class trips, prom, graduation, and the anticipation of college. Essence had worked over the summer to pay for her senior dues in anticipation of her final year of high school. She was a happy seventeen year old with love surrounding her, and looking forward to the new horizon that was her future.
In the midst of this exciting time she has been experiencing exhaustion, headaches and nose bleeds. The symptoms were dismissed as flu related. On January 15, 2015 Essence was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) which is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. This was a devastating diagnosis as this form of leukemia is rather deadly due to it being so fast acting; the patient is usually given a 40-45% chance of survival.
Essence was angry wondering why this happened to her, and initially declined the chemotherapy treatment. It’s not easy being 17, and 
just when life is about to begin you are told you might have six months to live. For her mother this diagnosis was heart wrenching devastation. No parent is prepared to be told their normally healthy teenager is facing death. In the mist of this challenge both daughter, and mother remained strong and allowed hope and prayer to prevail.
Essence would need a bone marrow transplant and did not have a single full match; it was a blessing that her brothers were half matches as she did not have another match anywhere in this country. African Americans that face these kind of illnesses are at a disadvantage because so many of us are not bone marrow donors. Just like giving blood can save lives…giving bone marrow can save lives also as it is much harder to match than blood. Furthermore, many of us should consider saving the umbilical cord blood of our babies when they are born. Cord blood provides an excellent source of stem cells for use in many situations where bone marrow would be the only choice today.
Cord blood stem cells are used in disease treatment to fight over 80 diseases such as: leukemia, autoimmune diseases, lupus, and inheritable diseases such as sickle cell anemia. If a parent should choose not to save cord blood in a private bank, they also have the
option to donate it to a public bank usually free of charge. These donations could save lives. Please research and share information with those in your families and communities about the importance of becoming a bone marrow donor, and the importance of saving, or donating, umbilical cord blood.
In late June of 2015 Essence underwent a successful Stem Cell Transplant. On November 24th she was released from the hospital. Stem Cell Transplants carry a very high rate of infection that can cause death. After about a week of being out of the hospital Essence went into septic shock as a result of infection, and was in a fight for her life. Though she remains hospitalized she is out of intensive care, and recovering. At eighteen years old Essence is inspiring hope in all who encounter her testimony. She and her family are strong, full of life and hope.
This young lady is a reminder that no matter what life throws at you…you can overcome with love, faith and hope. Essence is very spiritual, and she feeds off positive energy. Sending words of love, hope and encouragement is a good way to help Essence stay lifted. We can also donate to her GoFundMe account to assist with the cost of her treatment. Essence you inspire us, and we are cheering for you.
“To learn more about Essence’s struggle please visit her Pinterest page: https://www.pinterest.com/essencewhite3/my-battle-with-leukemia/” and to donate to her struggle, please visit her Go Fund Me page: https://www.gofundme.com/essence-white.”
Staff Writer; Christian Starr
May connect with this sister over at Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/christian.pierre.9809 and also Twitter; http://twitter.com/MrzZeta.