Fox 4: Children's Mercy hosts special graduation ceremony for teen with sickle cell anemia

Tomiese Wyatt

By Marcus Officer

Ruskin High School senior Tomiese Wyatt has endured a long road to get to graduation day, but it's been a journey worth the ride.

"Just finishing and being surrounded around all the people that love me and that I love," the 18-year-old said.

Tomiese was born with sickle cell anemia, a condition that her mother Michelle Ndiaye said has taken a toll on her body but not her spirit.

"Very special, amazing. God willing. It's been a journey. Tomiese is definitely a fighter to get through this," Ndiaye said. 

Tuesday's graduation ceremony was held at Children’s Mercy, where Tomiese has been receiving treatments for her illness since birth, to ensure Tomiese, her family and hospital staff could share in her accomplishment. 

Read the full article and view a video from the graduation via Fox 4.

Learn about the Sickle Cell Disease Team at Children's Mercy.

Learn more about other services offered through the Hematology Department at Children's Mercy.