By Jessica Wurst

Dr. La Vetta Coleman's experience with grief puts her in a unique position to help families navigate challenging periods in their lives.

"After my oldest son passed away, a series of conversations led me back into ministry after a brief time away. Now, I'm the director of bereavement care. I help families plan homegoing services and celebrations of life, coordinate support through the church and lead grief support efforts."

Not only does she serve families in her community, but she also works to strengthen the well-being of those around her. Dr. Coleman's church, Center of Praise Ministries in Sacramento hosts several community-focused programs, from daycare services to "Miracle University," which has achieved a 100% graduation rate among participating students during the past three years. Founded by Bishop Parnell M. Lovelace Jr., the church has long emphasized serving the community beyond its walls.

One way the church supports the community is through its partnership with the American Red Cross. For nearly four years, Dr. Coleman has opened the church's doors to host multiple blood drives each year, resulting in 150 units of blood donated so far.

"One of our mottos is: We worship, we learn and we serve. Hosting blood drives is part of that service. It's one way we can reach out to the community and let people know we're here. The blood drives are open to everyone, just like our grief support groups. They're not just for our congregation. They're for anyone with a need."

This year, as the need for blood donations has continued, so has Dr. Coleman's commitment to supporting the effort. The church doubled the number of blood drives it hosted, including one held in September during Sickle Cell Awareness Month.

Sickle cell disease is the most common genetic blood disorder in the United States, and regular blood transfusions are critical for helping manage severe pain and life-threatening complications. More than 100,000 people in the U.S. live with sickle cell disease, and some may require frequent blood transfusions throughout their lives.

One challenge for patients who receive frequent transfusions is finding closely matched blood. Blood donors who are Black are almost three times more likely to be a match for the blood most needed by patients living with sickle cell disease. Closely matched blood can help reduce the risk of transfusion-related complications.

"Our church is predominantly African American, and that's especially important when we're supporting blood drives that help patients with sickle cell disease. Many people don't realize how important blood donations can be for those living with the disease. By participating, we're helping raise awareness and showing people that there is something they can do to help. Sometimes it's the simple acts that make the greatest difference."

Dr. Coleman's hope is that blood donors remember that they're contributing to something meaningful, and while the person who benefits from their donation may be someone they'll never meet, their gift matters because it has potential to save lives.

For Dr. Coleman, the message behind every blood drive is simple: you never know whose life may be changed by an act of generosity, whether they are fighting sickle cell disease or another medical issue. That truth became especially meaningful when her youngest son received a kidney transplant.

"Someone else's generosity helped save his life. That's another reminder of why these acts of giving matter and why it's important to give others hope whenever we can. He's doing very well now and has returned to work preaching. Experiences like that remind me that the work is worthwhile."