Acreage Girl Is New Sickle Cell Poster Child

PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. - WPBF.com

An Acreage girl is the new National Poster Child for the Sickle Cell Disease Association.

While 10-year-old Giovanna Poli doesn't have a poster yet, she said she's proud to be the new face for the disease and that she hopes to help educate more people about the condition.

Even with her National Poster Child audition on YouTube, most people find it difficult to believe that the girl has sickle cell disease.

Her mother, Vivian Poli, said that many people often tell her, "Oh, I thought it was an African-American disease." However, she said, that's not the case.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, sickle cell disease is found mostly in African-Americans. Giovanna's mission is to spread the word that the disease doesn't discriminate.

"(I want) to let the people know that sickle cell can be in everybody," she said.

Sickle cell disease is a genetic blood disorder. Alex and Vivian Poli discovered they both carried the trait and realized that Giovanna had the disease when she was born. Her mother said she suffers severe pain in her joints and can sometimes barely walk.

Her parents treat Giovanna with plenty of fluids and medication, but she has often had to go to the emergency room for blood transfusions. While she hasn't had an episode this year, her disease is a constant cause of concern for her family.

"A simple virus could be detrimental to her," said Alex Poli. "It could be life-threatening."

For the most part, the Polis said they think they have Giovanna's condition under control. Giovanna said she enjoys playing video games and now also plays softball.

"She kind of knows her body now, so we've allowed her to do it, (she's) taking precautions and she's doing good," Vivian Poli said.

The Polis also point to Travis Washington as proof that the disease can be beaten. He's the Riviera Beach teenager who is now free of sickle cell disease after receiving a bone marrow transplant in August.

Vivian Poli said she hopes more people affected with the disease speak up.

"I think we need more parents as well, who are affected by this disease, to come up and speak up," she said. "Some families have just accepted it for what it is and think there's no more hope, and there is."

The family plans to take their story to national TV shows. They're also headed to Washington in March, when they hope to meet with President Barack Obama and lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

According to the SCDAA Web site, the National Poster Child tradition started in 1976 with 8-year-old Bridgette Earby of Oakland, Calif. The role of the National Poster Child is to serve as a goodwill ambassador by making public appearances on behalf of the association, being a positive example and role model to others with sickle cell disease and educating the public about the SCDAA's mission.

Click here

for more information on sickle cell.

Most Popular Stories at WPBF

• Vacationing Groom's Wedding Band Stolen In Auto Burglary
• Ex-Pahokee High Football Star Arrested In Tenn.
• Woman Struck, Killed By Car While Walking With Husband
• Woman, 81, Struck, Killed By Car On Okeechobee Blvd.
• Port St. Lucie Resident Shot In Hand During Home Invasion

MORE FROM WPBF-TV

WPBF-TV Section Front

New Billboards Plaster Thanksgiving Massacre Suspect's Face   Clerk's Office To Bring Foreclosure Auctions Online   Delray Beach Erects Menorah After Controversy   Deputies: Salesman Forced Way Inside Home, Sought Sex   W. Palm Beach Man Accused Of Grabbing Woman's Breast WPBF-TV Section Front   Add WPBF-TV headlines to your news reader: