sickle cell has made me and my family stronger. but, as i prepare for the marathon, the warnings from my doctor keep playing on my mind. the doctors disagree with me about my doing the marathon. essentially, i will be reducing the oxygen circulating to my body, the functionality of my organs and risking things like strokes or neuroretinopathy or, like, something just obstructs somewhere and it'lljust collapse, and, yeah... as the day approaches, i'm excited and determined. emcee: ladies and gentlemen, wed like to welcome you to the 2018 nairobi standard chartered international marathon! i'm feeling good at the starting line.