OUR STORY

Kareem & Sarita Edwards are the proud parents of Elijah, a happy little boy diagnosed in utero with Full Trisomy 18. Their journey navigating the healthcare system inspired the creation of The E.WE Foundation.

Elijah’s Trisomy 18 diagnosis came after a routine prenatal ultrasound revealed anomalies. Following confirmation by a Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist, the Edwards family faced a devastating reality—Trisomy 18 is often labeled “incompatible with life,” a phrase that too often leads to the denial of necessary care.

After Elijah’s birth, the family was discharged under hospice care and spent the first seven months coordinating life-sustaining therapies independently. Many essential therapies were delayed or denied based solely on his diagnosis. Today, Elijah has a medical team of over 20 specialists at Children’s of Alabama, a two-hour, one-way trip from home.

Their journey highlighted the harsh disparities families face with rare diagnoses and the urgent need for:

  • Early and accurate diagnosis
  • Coordinated specialty care
  • Mental and emotional support for families
  • Advocacy to shift public and medical narratives
  • Support and education for healthcare professionals serving rare disease communities

Together, Kareem and Sarita bring over four decades of combined experience in Business and Healthcare Management:

  • Sarita Edwards, President and CEO, is a licensed minister, award-winning advocate, and nationally recognized global thought leader. She is a professional speaker, advisory board member, leadership strategist, and consultant. Sarita is a Certified Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Science, a Master’s in Healthcare Administration, and is pursuing her Doctorate in Health Sciences.
  • Kareem Edwards, Strategic Advisor, is a Senior Business Manager with FedEx Corporation. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Kareem serves on the E.WE Board of Directors and supports the foundation’s strategic priorities.

The Edwards family lives in Alabama.

Watch Our Journey of Life, Love, and Hope – A Family Impact Story

(c) The E.WE Foundation | August 2022.