Inspired!

Over a year ago I sat at my desk in the Phat Fashions offices early one morning reading the Daily News. I came across an article that changed my life, it was the story of Jasmina Anema a 6-yr girl battling a rare form of Leukemia. Each word, line and paragraph painted a picture in my mind and before I even finished the article I logged into my email account and drafted an email. The subject: "She needs a miracle....it's our duty to help!!!! LET'S SAVE JASMINA" That day. That moment. Nothing else mattered I wanted to get the word out to as many as I can...

As I continued to read the article I realized that little Jasmina had been adopted, her adopted mom had no way to contact her biological family and in order to fight this leukemia Jasmina needed bone marrow. The African- American presence was very low in the donor registry and the article was calling out to African-Americans to sign up to see if they were a match for the most resilient 6-yr old out there. A bone marrow drive was being held at Jasmina's school in the West Village that following weekend...

I sent an e-mail out to all my friends and family with the details for the bone marrow drive, I asked them to forward the email to everyone they knew. I prayed for Jasmina. I prayed that the turnout of African-Americans would lead to a match for Jasmina. I secretly prayed that I'd be a match. I would have completely humbled and thankful if I could have been of help to this precious and great-spirited young girl.

The turnout exceeding my initial expectations. There were SOO many people who showed up, my friends, college classmates, sorority sisters, family members and colleagues were in attendance along with hundreds and thousands of others who saw that article, heard that story and wanted to be the one to help save Jasmina.

My sister and I were both in contact with DKMS and we had a bone marrow drive in our community for Jasmina. We raised money and swab cheeks of many on a rainy Sunday afternoon in downtown Brooklyn, NY.

A few months later the news had reported that a match was found for Jasmina, it was a happy day! They stressed the fact that Jasmina's body may reject the bone marrow but everyone was pulling for Jasmina, and she was fighting for her own life as well.

Today I got word that Jasmina Anema has passed away. My heavy heart could only rejoice because today Jasmina Anema became an angel. She went home with the Lord where there is no pain, no suffering and no leukemia!!!!!

As sad as I want to be, I can't find the tears of sorrow. I can only smile at the thought that a six-year old changed my life. Who would of thunk it? She inspired me and hundreds of thousands of others to be selfless, to care more, to rally for a good cause. Jasmina Anema has increased the number of African-Americans in the bone marrow registry significantly. Another suffering individuals life will be saved because of Jasmina's story.

Jasmina is a perfect portrait of the work of God. I can see her face in my head as I type... Smiling.

I'm smiling back...

God bless Jasmina's family, friends and supporters... "you got your angel now"

RIP Jasmina!!!!