Source: WENN

Despite the reality TV overload we’re dealing with I’m actually pretty happy about this news, especially if it means T-Boz will now be able to get her finances in order.

TMZ is reporting that TLC group member Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins will be getting her own reality show, ironically on TLC (The Learning Channel), called “Totally T-Boz.”

Sources close to the production tell TMZ … the network has ordered four episodes of Watkins’ reality show called “Totally T-Boz” which will air on TLC in 2013…

We’re told the show will focus on the 42-year-old single mom as she tries to re-launch her music career … after recovering from the life-threatening brain tumor she was diagnosed with in 2006.

The brain tumor was so bad, once it was removed, T-Boz had to relearn how to walk and talk.

We’re told, the show will star her daughter, brother, cousins and friends … and is currently filming in Atlanta.

In addition to the brain tumor T-Boz suffered through in 2006, she has also been dealing with sickle cell anemia for most of her life, going public with her illness in 1996. Financial troubles have also taxed T-Boz heavily in the last couple of years with the singer filing for Bankruptcy in 2011. In August she also sold her home, which was threatened with foreclosure in 2008, but for only half the value. This short reality series coupled with the TLC biopic VH1 has in the works could really help T-Boz get back on her feet in more ways than one.

What do you think?

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Just days after Lucky Mulumba gave birth to her first child Carol, she learned her baby had sickle cell anemia.

“Doctors said she had the most severe type and they told me she would have a hard life. Some doctors told me she would not live past ten years,” said Lucky Mulumba.

Two years later she learned she was pregnant with her second child Mark. Her doctor suggested she bank his umbilical cord blood in the event one day it might be used to help Carol.

Cord Blood Registry, based in San Bruno, California, paid for Mark’s cord blood to be stored and saved as part of a free program called “Newborn Possibilities.” Meanwhile Carol, now 10 years old, struggled through daily pain as her condition worsened.

Find out Mark’s umbilical cord saved his sister’s life at theGrio.com.

Parents out there, did you save your child’s umbilical cord? Do you think this procedure will become more and more common in the future?

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Parents of students at a New Jersey high school are demanding answers from the American Red Cross after their children said a worker told them they could give two pints of blood if they wanted to because they were African American and their blood could be given to “the little black kids in Africa.”

When the mother of one of the students contacted the Red Cross for answers, she was told African Americans are often asked to give more blood to help fight sickle cell anemia, but the Africa comment couldn’t be explained. Later, the organization said they couldn’t verify that the event actually happened and issued a formal statement, saying:

“The American Red Cross fully embraces inclusion, and actively works to build diversity awareness and sensitivity among its staff and volunteers.

After the Red Cross was notified of the concerns about remarks made at the Penn’s Grove High School Blood Drive on November 1, 2011, we immediately looked into the matter and were not able to substantiate the accusations. On the contrary, our workers noted the positive turnout for this special collection which encourages African American donors — the ethnic group most affected by Sickle Cell Disease, to donate. Sickle Cell Disease affects 1 in 12 African Americans, or approximately 70,000 people in the United States. While there is no cure, the painful symptoms of this disease can be prevented by regular blood transfusions.

Blood products that are collected here in the Penn-Jersey Region remain in the region and are redistributed to the approximately 100 area hospitals that we serve.”

Penns Grove Superintendent, Dr. Joseph Massare, says the school district is working with the Red Cross to investigate the incident and will not tolerate any racist comments. To the Red Cross I say, nice try with the sickle cell cover up but that doesn’t excuse the “unsubstantiated” event.

What do you think about the Red Cross’s response? Should they have taken the incident more seriously?

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

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