See this article about St. Luke’s efforts to assist Zalika Mason and family:  Church seeks $60,000 to help ailing children.  Here's an excerpt:

St. Luke Lutheran Church, in McDonough, is participating in efforts to raise money for one of its members, who is battling a potentially deadly blood disease.

The church, at 1125 McDonough Place, is asking for donations on behalf of 18-year-old Zalika Mason, of Fairburn, who suffers from sickle-cell anemia.

"At nine months, she had her first sickle-cell crisis, and her heart stopped," said Mary Beth Egas, a church member, who also is a member of the Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA). "Doctors started doing blood transfusions on her. As she got older, her condition got worse."

Egas has known Mason since she was born, and has seen her endure numerous hardships as a result of her condition. The Children's Organ Transplant Association is a non-profit, national charity that raises funds to help those in need of transplants.

Egas said Mason's illness has had a significant effect, in recent years, on her academic pursuits.

"She only went to school five days during her junior year, and two days her senior year," said Egas. "Yet, she's only six months behind her graduating class, which is amazing. She is a real success story, as far as determination and the will to live."

Egas said the church, and COTA, have distributed letters and appeals to schools, churches and other local organizations, in an effort to raise money for Mason's care. Currently, church members are selling wristbands in honor of Mason.

"We're wearing them until Zalika can come back to church," said Egas. "She has touched the whole church. We pray for her all the time."