The first Pure Bliss Sanctuary Strength Crisis Comfort Kit has officially been delivered!
A Full Circle Moment: Arie’s Gene Therapy Journey
June 13, 2026
Small Wins Save Lives™ Episode #1: Arie's Pathway of Footprints as a 24-year-old in the middle of the gene-therapy process.
āSome moments change you.
Some moments remind you who you are.
And some moments bring your entire story full circle.
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June 13, 2026 was one of those moments.
Today, I had the honor of presenting the very first Pure Bliss Sanctuary Strength Crisis Comfort Kit™ to Arie, a remarkable Sickle Cell Warrior preparing to receive healthy stem cells through gene therapy.
As I listened to Arie share her journey, one statement stayed with me:
“I never questioned why me? I just take things as they come.”— Arie
Those words perfectly captured the grace, resilience, and strength she carries.
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āWhy This Moment Matters
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Gene therapy represents a breakthrough that generations of Sickle Cell Warriors only dreamed about.
For decades, families, advocates, physicians, researchers, and warriors have prayed for more effective treatments and curative options.
Today, Arie stands on the threshold of that possibility.
Watching her prepare for this next chapter was inspiring, emotional, and deeply hopeful.
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A Full Circle Moment
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As a child, I served as both a local and national poster child for the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (SCDAA).
I shared my story across churches, schools, conferences, community events, legislative meetings, and advocacy programs.
I spoke with doctors, researchers, scientists, legislators, and families about the realities of living with Sickle Cell Disease.
I helped raise awareness and support efforts benefiting the adult Sickle Cell Clinic in Alabama.
Back then, I encouraged people to continue searching for better treatments and one day, a cure. At the end of every speech, I would always say,
"I believe and have faith that a cure will be found! Won't that be wonderful!"- because I know the power of speaking faith-filled and positive words.
Today, I sat beside a warrior preparing to receive one.
That realization is difficult to put into words.
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The First Sanctuary Strength Crisis Comfort Kit™
The Pure Bliss Sanctuary Strength Crisis Comfort Kit™ was created to provide comfort, encouragement, dignity, and hope during difficult seasons of life.
It felt incredibly meaningful that the very first sponsored kit was presented to someone already navigating the gene therapy process.
Inside the kit are carefully selected comfort items, encouragement resources, and reminders that no warrior walks alone.
Sometimes the smallest acts of kindness create the greatest impact. I have seen firsthand that Small Wins truly do Save Lives!
Small Wins Save Lives™.
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This day also marked another important milestone:
The recording of Episode #1 of Small Wins Save Lives™
Small Wins Save Lives™ was created to share stories of resilience, hope, perseverance, healing, and transformation.
Arie’s story was the perfect beginning.
Her courage, perspective, and unwavering faith remind us that strength doesn’t always look loud.
Sometimes strength looks like simply taking life as it comes.
Looking Forward
This is only the beginning.
My prayer is that Arie’s story brings hope to warriors, caregivers, families, advocates, and anyone facing difficult circumstances.
We are cheering for her every step of the way as she prepares to receive healthy stem cells and begin the next chapter of her journey.
Thank you, Arie, for allowing us to witness this moment.
Thank you for reminding us that hope is still alive.
And thank you for helping us launch the very first episode of Small Wins Save Lives™.
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Small Wins Save Lives™
Awareness Creates Protection. Stories Create Hope. Knowledge is power.
Blissful Butterfly by Tahira, LLC
One thing Arie said during our conversation that I will never forget was her attitude toward the road ahead.
Her medical team has been honest about the challenges she may face during the chemotherapy process. They explained that there may be moments when she feels worse than she has ever felt before.
Yet Arie wasn’t focused on fear.
She wasn’t focused on the temporary discomfort.
Instead, she was focused on the possibility waiting on the other side.
With remarkable courage and faith, she shared that she is willing to endure the difficult days ahead because of what they could mean for the rest of her life—a future with less pain, fewer limitations, and freedom from many of the burdens that Sickle Cell Disease has placed on her journey.
As I listened to her speak, I was reminded that courage is not the absence of fear. Courage is moving forward despite uncertainty because the promise ahead is greater than the struggle in front of you.
Tomorrow, Arie begins another step in that journey.
And I could not be more proud of her.
Her strength, faith, and determination serve as a beacon of hope for the entire Sickle Cell community.
May her story remind us all that sometimes the hardest roads lead to the most beautiful possibilities.
Tahira Yvonne Givhan (35) and Arie McFarland (24), two Sickle Cell Warriors standing side by side outside of the Flying Biscuit on 280 in Birmingham, Alabama.
There is power in speaking faith-filled words.
As a little girl serving as both a local and national poster child for the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, I had the opportunity to share my story with doctors, researchers, legislators, churches, schools, and communities across the country.
At the end of many of my speeches, I would always say:
“I believe and have faith that one day a cure will be found. Won’t that be wonderful?”
At the time, I was just an 8-year-old little girl holding on to hope and possibilities, believing for the best outcome.
Today, those words feel more meaningful than ever.
The Bible reminds us:
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” — Proverbs 18:21
For years, I spoke those words believing that one day breakthroughs would come for people living with Sickle Cell Disease.
Now, decades later, I had the incredible honor of delivering the very first Pure Bliss Sanctuary Strength Crisis Comfort Kit™ to Arie McFarland, a fellow Sickle Cell Warrior whose courage and faith continue to inspire so many.
Tomorrow, Arie will be returning to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Texas to begin the next phase of her gene therapy journey, including chemotherapy treatment and the retrieval of her healthy stem cells. This moment represents years of scientific advancement, advocacy, perseverance, and hope within the Sickle Cell community.
As I reflected on that little girl standing at podiums saying, “I believe and have faith that one day a cure will be found. Won’t that be wonderful?” I couldn’t help but think about how remarkable it is to witness a time when treatments like gene therapy are creating possibilities that once seemed unimaginable.
Today, I am praying for Arie’s strength, peace, comfort, protection, and successful treatment. I am praying for her family, her medical team, and every Sickle Cell Warrior who is still believing for their breakthrough.
Because sometimes the words we speak in faith as children become the prayers we watch unfold years later as adults.
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“I believe and have faith that one day a cure will be found. Won’t that be wonderful?” ---TAHIRA YVONNE GIVHAN
8 YEARS OLD as both the local and national poster child for the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America.
A Message & Faith-Filled Prayer to Arie
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Arie,
I want you to know how incredibly proud I am of you.
As a fellow Sickle Cell Warrior, I understand that what people see is often only a small part of the journey. Behind every appointment, procedure, and treatment are years of pain, sacrifice, uncertainty, courage, and unwavering faith.
The fact that you have chosen to walk this path takes tremendous strength.
Tomorrow, as you travel to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Texas to begin the next phase of your gene therapy journey, I hope you know that you are carrying the hopes and prayers of so many people with you. You are not only fighting for yourself—you are helping pave the way for future generations of Sickle Cell Warriors.
It is my prayer that this treatment brings healing, restoration, and the opportunity to live a life less burdened by the challenges of Sickle Cell Disease.
I also pray that your journey serves as a doorway of hope for countless others living with Sickle Cell Anemia. May we continue moving toward a future where more individuals have access to life-changing and potentially curative therapies, regardless of their background, circumstances, or financial situation.
Years ago, I stood on stages across the country saying,
“I believe and have faith that one day a cure will be found. Won’t that be wonderful?”
Today, watching you take these courageous steps reminds me that we are living in a time when that hope is becoming a reality for some members of our community.
Thank you for your bravery. Thank you for your faith. Thank you for allowing others to witness your journey and find hope through your story.
No matter what tomorrow brings, I want you to know that I am proud of you, I am cheering for you, and I am believing alongside you.
Your courage represents something bigger than one person. It represents hope. Hope for every child born with Sickle Cell Disease. Hope for every parent who has sat beside a hospital bed. Hope for every warrior who has wondered if relief would ever come.
My prayer is that your journey becomes a beacon of possibility and a reminder that breakthroughs are possible. May the doors opening for you today continue opening for countless others tomorrow.
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With love, faith, and hope,
Tahira Givhan
Owner, Blissful Butterfly by Tahira, LLC and The Pure Bliss Crisis Comfort Initiative™
Sickle Cell Warrior, Advocate, and Believer in Miracles
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