8 Years Later
Hey there! Over the years I’ve come across a lot of questions about starting and operating a business, living the entrepreneur lifestyle, building a vast professional network, and developing a personal brand. After a good amount of life experience to match, I figured it was time to put my thoughts, answers, and even further questions, all in one place.
I present to you: JustFomaWeekly.
Today is a pretty special day because it marks eight years since I had my bone marrow transplant. Eight whole years! For those of you who might not know, I was born with sickle cell disease, a hereditary blood disorder that makes life, well, interesting to say the least. This disease is all about red blood cells playing an interesting trick, refusing to bind to oxygen the way they should. That means a laundry list of unfortunate symptoms, with the star of the show being Vaso-occlusive pain crises. Imagine pain so intense that it could drive a person to the brink, yet somehow, my family and I managed to hold on to our sanity. Those first 18 years were no picnic, but they were my reality.
Transformed by my transplant.
But on September 1, 2016, everything changed. I underwent a reduced intensity bone marrow transplant, and guess what? It worked! Since then, my life has been a whirlwind of change—some good, some challenging, but all of it worth it.
In the past eight years, I’ve graduated high school, kicked off university, and even started my nonprofit, NotJustYou. Life threw its fair share of curveballs my way—health scares, lost friendships—but I’ve also gained so much. New friends, a degree, travel experiences that took my breath away, and a deeper connection with Jesus than I ever thought possible. Now, I’m running my nonprofit full-time, with a bit of consulting on the side for good measure.
But through it all, there’s been one constant: I am, at my core, a storyteller. From the very beginning of my transplant journey, I knew I wanted to share what it was like to undergo a treatment that was as much a mystery as it was a miracle. I wanted to offer a roadmap for those who might walk a similar path, so they’d feel a little less alone. Little did I know that this urge to share would become the foundation for my future.Something small to make the point.
Life is always a good time.
Now, onto present day.
Looking back, what started as a few YouTube videos eight years ago has snowballed into so much more—food reviews, speaking engagements, mentorship sessions, hours of consulting, and now, this blog. What once felt like one of the darkest chapters of my life, a moment when I had to put all my hopes and dreams on hold for the chance at a healthier future, has turned out to be the beginning of something truly bright and beautiful.
So, what can you expect from my blog? A bit of everything that brought me here—answers to the questions that have shaped my journey. Whether it’s the nitty-gritty of starting a nonprofit, personal and organizational branding tips, or even my take on social commentary, you can count on finding it here.
In short, it’s just Foma, taking you along on this interesting, and beautiful journey that is the pursuit of destiny. Consider this as an anniversary gift from me, to you.
Welcome aboard!
Oh… and happy transplant anniversary to me!
