Jewel Ford
2003 Community Hero
Jewel, 17, is an avid dancer and member of the Grant High School Dance Team, as well as a member of the A Capella Choir. She loves her grandma’s spaghetti and playing with her two cats, "Abby" and "Oscar." She's known to have a great sense of humor, and rarely has trouble getting motivated.
Jewel was first diagnosed with Sickle Cell Anemia at the age of 2. Although there is no cure, she will face life-long treatment for this blood disease. For Jewel, these treatments have included countless pokes for IV's, blood transfusions and lengthy hospital stays.
Jewel hopes to use her experience to inform and educate others about her disease. Her first piece of advice to those who are facing this illness is, “Find joy in your challenges…you can go the distance in life.” Her family and friends are motivated by Jewel's strength, courage and determination. They remain confident that whatever goals she sets for herself, Jewel will succeed!
