Christopher Pinkerton is a young man without limitations. He doesn’t let the sickle cell anemia that has plagued him since birth curtail his zest for life: he just keeps on going. As he says, “You can’t tell anything by looking at me,” and he feels blessed by that, by the fact that his disease is invisible to others.

The blood transfusions he must undergo every month have become a normal routine to him, which he accepts with courage. He does acknowledge often and enthusiastically how grateful he is to the unknown donors who give blood so that he may live.

Christopher’s mother, Callie Jones, is on a mission to encourage everyone around her to give blood if they can. As a carrier of sickle cell anemia, she cannot donate blood, but wishes she could. “All we can do is thank people for donating. Every month, someone’s blood saves my son’s life.”

He gets four to six units of blood every four weeks when his energy collapses … and he says he thinks about the people whose blood is entering his body and sends a silent thanks.

When asked how the disease affects him, Christopher acknowledges only that it saps his energy. But his mother adds that he has endured terrible pain crises from sickle cell. Christopher does not complain.

Diagnosed at just three days old, Christopher has learned to live with his disease and has summoned the determination and strength to lead a normal life. Today, the 18-year-old is a student at University of the Incarnate Word where he is studying communication arts. In his heart, he has always dreamed of becoming an NBA player, but he knows that is unrealistic. “I’ve decided I’d like to be a sports commentator,” he says … the closest he can get to NBA action.

But recently, inspired by San Antonio Express-News columnist Cary Clack, Christopher is expanding his career vision. “I’ve always loved to write,” he says. Maybe he’ll pursue a career in journalism. The sky’s the limit.

Christopher was an outstanding student until a stroke felled him at age eight. He lost all memory and struggled with starting over. It took years for him to catch up, but by the time he graduated from Sam Houston High School in 2006, he had achieved his goal of once again becoming an A-B scholar.

Throughout high school, he was a diligent participant in St. Mary’s University’s Upward Bound college preparatory program. On weekends and summers, he studied math, English, science – and even took a stab at Japanese. “I did very well,” he says. “I always go to class and I always try my best.”

His mom is very proud. “I could go on and on talking about Christopher,” she says. “He is so sweet, giving and appreciative. He is a serious student and has lots of friends. When he is away from me, I don’t worry about him because his teachers and friends have always watched out for him.”

Callie says her son inspires others. “When his friends talk about things they can’t do, he tells them, ‘If I can do it, you can do it.’ He doesn’t believe in giving up.”

Christopher Pinkerton is a lot like you and me. He enjoys time with family and friends – including his mom and his 16-year-old brother Dominique. He has many interests – playing basketball, working out at the gym, watching movies, listening to music and playing video games. And he has a gift for writing poetry.

There’s one more important thing that connects us to this fine young man: Christopher needs blood and we have blood to give. It is the gift of life … and when we roll up our sleeves to give, we feel really great about knowing that our gift is restoring life for another person. And that person feels really great knowing that we cared enough to give him life.