Fans of “America’s Got Talent” may remember Angelica Hale for her big, expressive singing voice. But when Hale, 10, of Johns Creek, is not singing, she is using her voice to raise awareness for causes close to her heart. Most recently, that includes a new campaign for the Sepsis Alliance, the largest sepsis advocacy organization in the U.S.
Hale was just a toddler when she battled sepsis and organ failure resulting from an infection in her lungs. “That is why I perform for charity for children in the hospital,” said Hale. “I want to help them get better. I know how it feels.”
Here’s a look at Hale’s campaign for the Sepsis Alliance:
Hale began taking voice lessons at age 5. Last year, she was first-runner up on NBC’s popular variety competition “America’s Got Talent.” Her appearance on the show led to a whirlwind of opportunities including singing engagements at the the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, the Lenox Square tree lighting and an Atlanta Falcons game.
>> Read more: Catching up with Johns Creek's Angelica Hale ('America's Got Talent' runner up)
Hale said she always loved making up songs as a young girl and has previously said she wants to be the next Whitney Houston. But when she was just a toddler, her future wasn’t so certain.
At age 4, Hale was diagnosed with double pneumonia and sepsis. She spent several months in the hospital and suffered kidney failure. Hale was on dialysis for a year and a half. When her mom proved a match, she donated a kidney to her daughter.
Though she was young, Hale remembers her illness well. “I wanted it all to be over and I was in so much pain. I couldn’t believe it was happening to me. I wanted it to be a dream that I would wake up from,” she said.
She recalled the doctors and nurses that consoled her and how draining it was to have dialysis. “I don’t think it should happen to anyone,” she said.
Hale, who turns 11 this month, said she enjoys performing for charity and raising money to help others who are suffering with kidney disease and sepsis.
She is also working on her own songs which she hopes will spread a message of love and joy. “I want my songs to relate to people and help them find their light when they are in darkness,” Hale said. “When I was sick I didn’t know where the light was. I had the will to live and that is what helped me get through. I want my songs to be about that.”
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