My story,

           My name is Harold Stroud Jr. I am a father of 6. Their ages range from 21 to 3. I was diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia in February 2017. I have been out of work since. I am currently living with my mother-in-law with my 3 youngest kids. The doctors have me on all kinds of medication to lower my immune system, lower my iron, lower my blood pressure. When I was first diagnosed I was getting blood transfusion every 6 to 8 weeks but as time has pasted the blood transfusion havr gotten more frequent. I get blood transfusion almost every week for the last 11 months. The doctors are "scared" to give me more blood because of my iron level being so high. Being on a fixed income is so difficult going back and forth to Atlanta 2 to 4 times a month. I do not have my own transportation so I have to have some one take me to the doctors. When I was unable to work and my disability was still being decided I lost my vehicle and home.I also have to make sure some one is able to take care of my 3 kids that live with me. I am scheduled to have a bone marrow transplant at the end of December but since we live so far away (over 30 miles) the doctors need me to stay in the Atlanta area because for the first 2 months after the bone marrow transplant I have to go to the doctor every day to make sure my body is not rejecting the transplant.