"My name is Sara Giannelli.  I am one out of 9 children and I have Sickle Beta Thalassemia.  While it isn't Sickle Cell Anemia it is a variant of SS.  Living with Sickle Beta Thalassemia has had its ups and downs but I've never let it stop me from doing anything.  I know most people would be upset about having a disease that is always affecting their life but I don't see it that way.  I see it as a part of me that brings out the strength of God through me.  It's something that I battle and in these battles come testimonies.  Testimonies that I can share to motivate others like me or others who face battles in life.

At the beginning of this year, I had a sickle cell crisis so bad that I needed to go to the ER.  That same day, I was also supposed to work a junior tennis tournament 2 hours away in Columbia, SC.  As I was laying in the ER, I considered calling and telling them I couldn't work but there was this little voice that was telling me to push through and not back down.  So I got up, packed my bags, and left for Columbia.  It was pretty cold in Columbia at that time but I felt that God was going to get me through the weekend.  He did.  I am now 20 years old and I've had several episodes.  I am thankful for how God and my family have been with me through these years and many to come."   ~ Sara