St. Mary’s graduate Jasmin Bindom pays it forward

To say that Jasmin Bindom is an amazing young woman is an understatement. Defying what seemed to be insurmountable odds, this resilient dynamo continues to inspire and astound people every day.

Bindom was a high school junior at St. Mary’s Academy in 2011 when she suddenly became ill. She spent weeks in a burn unit at a local hospital before being diagnosed with Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS).

The debilitating disease is caused by a severe reaction to both over-the-counter and prescription medication and can be fatal if not properly and promptly diagnosed and treated.

Following many surgeries and a painstaking recovery, Bindom is a survivor in every sense of the word. Now a senior at Dillard University in New Orleans majoring in public health, she also works tirelessly to promote awareness of and raise money for Stevens-Johnson syndrome through her Team Jasmin SJS Awareness Walk. 

Additionally, she supports St. Mary’s Academy each year by generously giving a $2,000 college scholarship to a deserving senior. 

This year, senior Deja Crayton was awarded the scholarship. Crayton submitted an essay on Stevens-Johnson syndrome to Bindom.

“This scholarship afforded me a wonderful opportunity to not only further my education but learn more about Stevens-Johnson syndrome,” said Crayton, who will study nursing in the fall at Southern University in Baton Rouge. “I am so grateful to Ms. Bindom for this most generous award.”

“I graduated from SMA and wanted to be able to give back to my alma mater,” Bindom said, adding that senior year can be especially trying in terms of financial obligations. “A little extra money can go a long way when buying books and other needed materials for college.”