Kylie's Kids: Imani's Bone Marrow Needs Receives Nat'l Attention
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- It only takes a few minutes with Imani to catch some of her positive attitude.
"You can't go through life feeling all negative," Imani said. "You'll feel bad about everything."
This high school sophomore does a little of everything.
"I play soccer, dance and lacrosse," said Imani.
But the soccer field is her favorite place.
"Being on the field is a whole different life," Imani said. "I just love being out there it's so fun."
Playing sports may be Imani's favorite, but it's not always easy for her to take on the competition.
"When I was in elementary school, I could never run the mile," said Imani. "I would either get dizzy or pass out."
Imani has Myelodysplastic Syndrome, a bone marrow failure disease. She just had a bone marrow transplant at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital.
Bone Marrow matches can take a while, but Imani's half African-American and half German, which made it that much harder. Her donor had to be the same mixed-race.
While waiting for her match, her story caught the attention of National Geographic. Her face filled an entire page on their story "Changing Faces."
"All I know from my donor is he's a male and he's 24," Imani said.
Five years later, Imani has her match and her transplant.
"I feel good today," Imani said. "Today was a good day."
She's now taking recovery one day at a time until she's finally back in the game.
Imani's mom says she still has a bit of nausea that stems from all of the meds, but blood counts and bone marrow biopsies are showing good progress.
Be The Match is always looking for Bone Marrow Donors but there is an extra need for mixed race donors.
To learn more or sign up, click here.
