Daughter of Penn State Football Coach has sickle cell anemia

Turns out there was more than just football that went into James Franklin’s decision to leave Vanderbilt and head to Penn State. Franklin was also thinking of his family, in particular, his daughter who was diagnosed with sickle cell anemia shortly after she was born. During a recent visit to the Children’s Hospital at Penn State Hershey, Coach Franklin stated, ” It was a big factor in us coming to Penn State, making sure that we were going to have the right type of support. We’re fortunate, our daughter’s doing great but I know then when they come, we’re going to come and have a trip down here and sit down and talk to the doctors.” Franklin and his wife, Fumi, look forward to being part of raising awareness of sickle cell anemia through possible fundraising efforts or potentially setting up a foundation.

Sickle cell anemia effects 90,000 – 100,000 people in the United States. According to the Mayo Clinic, sickle cell anemia is an inherited form of anemia – a condition in which there aren’t enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen throughout your body. There is no cure for sickle cell anemia, but treatment is available to alleviate pain and prevent complications.

Photo & Video Credit: Joe Hermitt, Pennlive

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