Sheffield second grader Austen Dickerson to donate marrow to sister

SHEFFIELD, Ala. (WAFF)-Threadgill Primary School second grader Austen Dickerson is set to give his younger sister a life-saving gift—her perfectly matched marrow bone.

Four-year-old Addisyn Dickerson, who suffers from sickle cell anemia, will undergo a bone marrow transplant on Sept. 11 at Children’s Hospital, Birmingham.

One in 13 African Americans carry the sickle cell trait.

Addisyn, who is in pre-kindergarten at Northwest-Shoals Community College, has been on a maintenance drug regimen since she was 9 months old.

The children’s mother, Autumn, said her two children are part of an early prevention program for pre-puberty treatment. It has involved educating both children as to the particulars of the disease and the role that they each will play in Addisyn’s road to health.

“Addisyn knows her brother is a Superhero and he knows the importance of what he’s doing for his sister,” Autumn Dickerson said. “They both understand all this well beyond their young years.”

For 7-year-old Austen, he’ll donate the bone marrow from his lower back on an outpatient basis. He must isolate two weeks before his sister’s surgery.

Addisyn begins a chemotherapy regimen next week in preparation.

Austen will be back to school the next week after the donation. Addisyn will finish her school year virtually.

“I’m just so proud of both of them for their bravery and determination to see that Addisyn is healthy,” Autumn said. “If Addisyn’s body accepts the marrow, she’ll be cured. Even if it does not completely accept it, her prognosis is much better. We’re looking forward to her being well and able to do anything she wants to do, except play football. We’re very hopeful.”

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