My name is James Ilari, I am 24 years old, and have been diagnosed with Severe Aplastic Anemia (SAA).  I have decided to create this website to raise awareness and provide information about the disease, the importance of giving blood and becoming a bone marrow/stem cell donor, and finally to tell my story in the hopes it will help others battling the same illness.

 

Hi Everyone... I have some great news!!  I had my last checkup since October of this year where I was told I was in partial remission.  All of my counts were slightly below normal, but at an acceptable level with the exception of my platelet count which was in the 80's.  I am very happy to announce that my hemoglobin and neutrophil counts are now above the normal mark with my platelets following not far behind at an acceptable 112 and climbing.  As all my counts are now at an acceptable level I am in full remission!!! But that's not all... If my platelets reach the 150 mark or above I will have made it to FULL RECOVERY...  Meaning all my counts have made it back within a normal range...  Sadly, only 10% of patients suffering from Aplastic Anemia ever reach this state.  To all those out there going through this illness... I know it'a tough.  It sucks.  It limits you from doing so many things and the treatments aren't easy.  But if I can give you some advice it's this... stay positive!  Take it one day at a time and don't get caught up in "what if" scenarios and future predictions... (I did this sometimes and it really gets you nowhere but angry and depressed)... surround yourself with people who love and care about you.  Go out and laugh with friends.  Your body's trying to mend itself back to health, the last thing you want to do it stress it out... Finally... Wishes, dreams, prayer, miracles... whatever you want to call it or whatever you believe in... they definitely do come true.

 

James