By Mike Tierney/American Red Cross

Honoring Juneteenth means not only celebrating freedom, but also recognizing the ongoing health disparities that affect the Black community—including sickle cell disease, which disproportionately impacts people of African descent. 

Since only one in three Black donors is likely to be a match for those with sickle cell, donating blood is a powerful and tangible way to honor Juneteenth—by showing up for a community still fighting for equitable care and healing.

Lathan Singleton, who lives with sickle cell, describes it as a constant tug-of-war with the body and mind. Despite the pain and trauma, he channels his strength into advocacy through The Unspoken Hero Society, a nonprofit he founded to support the mental health of sickle cell warriors. By organizing blood drives in partnership with the American Red Cross, Singleton helps ensure patients have access to the life-saving transfusions they need.

“It’s a constant tug-a-war with your body and, by extension, your mind,” Singleton says of the inherited red blood cell disorder that primarily impacts folks of African descent. “There were times I would leave the hospital feeling like a traumatized, heavily wounded soldier or a champion who has triumphed and reached a new level of patience, understanding and strength.”

Singleton, a patient advocate for the Sickle Cell Medical Advocacy Group, reached out to the Red Cross on behalf of the foundation some years ago to launch the drives.

The drives help meet a significant demand given that only one in three African American donors is a match for those with sickle cell. The disease affects more than 100,000 U.S. residents, many of whom require regular blood transfusions to manage pain and complications. Transfusions offer healthy blood cells that deliver oxygen and potentially reduce the ill effects.

As challenging as the disease can be, Singleton says he strives to ward off discouragement, both with himself and fellow sufferers with an uplifting attitude.

By giving blood, you could be the lifeline someone with sickle cell desperately needs.Those interested in donating can schedule an appointment by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

About the American Red Cross: 

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/la or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCrossLA.