Photo Courtesy of GMA
Joshua Biyoyouwei, a 14-year-old boy with sickle cell disease in Gwinnett County, received a helpful surprise from Good Morning America.
Biyoyouwei became paralyzed on the right side of his body from a stroke at only 18 months old due to sickle cell disease. He’s endured exhausting blood transfusions each month at a hospital. He misses school and other activities often taken for granted, like going to the grocery store with his mom.
A bone marrow transplant or blood stem cells could cure Biyoyouwei’s disease.
“It would change Joshua’s life a whole lot, meaning he wouldn’t have to get up every month to go in to get blood transfusions done,” said his mother, Vera Johnson-Tokpah. “… He just wants to be a regular boy.”
When Good Morning America host Robin Roberts presented the Rollx Van specially designed to support wheelchair users, Joshua’s mother, Vera, told Robin the van is going to “help us immensely.”
“I’ll be able to take him wherever, to the grocery store, wherever I can take him,” she said in tears.
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That wasn’t all Good Morning America had in store for the family. Ginger Zee appeared from behind a wall holding a large check.
“Our sponsor, Honey Bunches of Oats, is celebrating you because you make a bunch happen in your community,” Zee said. “So, we wanted you to have this $10,000 check so you can do a bunch more.”
Biyoyouwei and his sister, Jaira, smiled as their mother hugged them and thanked the hosts. Vera was left speechless.
His family advocates for Be The Match– a platform that encourages people to register to help others find their life-saving cure.
“I came here to find a match for my son, and we’re praying people go out there and join the registry,” she shared.
Be The Match encourages anyone ages 18-44 to sign up to join the registry by visiting their website.