HILLSBORO, Ala. (WHNT) — At birth, Tenecia Smith was diagnosed with a blood disorder.

“I was in and out of the hospital at just two months old until currently right now. It was a lot of weekly treatments, sometimes months,” Smith explained.

Tenecia has Sickle Cell disease, also known as Sickle Cell Anemia.

She is one of over 100,000 Americans whose blood cells are shaped into a sickle, resulting in disruptions to blood flow throughout the body. The disease took the life of her brother at the age of 16 and has affected several family members.

Those who have this disease rely on blood transfusions for survival. For Tenecia, it’s a way to avoid becoming sicker than she currently is.

“Dealing with this illness, I’ve had three strokes, and two grand mal seizures, but I’ve been graced to st

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