Joined By Blood

Sickle cell disease is the most common genetic blood disease in the U.S. and primary affects individuals of African descent. The disease causes red blood cells to become hard and crescent-shaped instead of soft and round. As a result, blood has difficulty flowing smoothly and carrying oxygen to the rest of the body, which may lead to severe pain, tissue and organ damage, and even strokes.

Some patients who experience more severe symptoms from the disease may require monthly blood transfusions. Through this process, sickled red blood cells are replaced with healthy red blood cells. Donated blood is the only source for this treatment.

Some patients require an even closer blood type match than the main blood types (A, B, O and AB). In fact, a person with sickle cell disease may need a precise pairing with a blood donor, especially if frequent blood transfusions are necessary. To help avoid transfusion-related complications, a patient is more likely to find the most compatible blood match from a donor of the same race or similar ethnicity.

People with one sickle gene and one normal gene have sickle cell trait. Most people with sickle cell trait do not experience symptoms of the disease. Approximately one in 13 Black or African American babies is born with sickle cell trait.