After discovering at the age of 13 that she had inherited sickle cell disease, Patricia McGill believed she would not live to be 30. She is now among the oldest individuals in the U.S. with the disease, having recently turned 80.
Given that life expectancy for people with sickle cell disease was lower than 20 years in the 1970s, according to Public Health Reports, McGill was determined to live life to the fullest. She was diagnosed after becoming sick so many times, she said.
When McGill was given the diagnosis in 1957, she recalled that the disease “wasn’t well known, and people knew very little about it.”
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The Houston native told NBC News, “I decided that if I might only live to about 30, which is what I initially thought, I would do everything I wanted to do.”
She braved the unexpected sickness her condition would produce to enroll in Hampton University in Virginia in 1963 and fulfill her dreams of becoming a mother and teacher. She spent 37 years working with children who had learning problems, motivated by her profound knowledge of their struggles. McGill also suffers from orthographic dyslexia, a learning disorder that impairs her ability to spell.
She was a dedicated teacher, and several of her students continued to stay in touch with her long after she retired, as a sign of their appreciation and respect. McGill told the outlet, “I knew there were others like us who needed support and understanding. I always made it a point to show them that they were not alone and that they could overcome their challenges.”
For eight decades, she has relied on the support of her faith, family, and community. To manage her disease, McGill has had to juggle several therapies over the years, such as pain control, hydration management, and blood transfusions when necessary.
She disclosed that she also has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, as well as “congestive heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, all kinds of things that mess with my lungs, so I’m on oxygen 24/.”
Still, she attributes her longevity to her proactive attitude to nutrition, which includes drinking water and eating a healthy diet, as well as speaking to her situation.
Her 80th birthday was celebrated in March with 125 friends and family members. The occasion doubled as a fundraiser for the Marc Thomas Foundation of the Sickle Cell Association of Texas, which raised $16,000 to benefit sickle cell disease patients and their families.
According to McGill, “The theme of my birthday party was ‘It’s Possible.’ I wanted to show others that it is possible to live a full and rich life despite having sickle cell disease.”
“One thing I’ve learned over the years is that sickle cell patients often hide their illness,” she added. “I think that’s a big mistake. When people understand what you’re going through, they are more likely to offer productive help.”
McGill expressed her admiration for the potential benefits that the recently approved gene therapy may have for those suffering from the illness.
She remarked, “I’m excited about the progress being made. It gives me hope for future generations.”
