As we celebrate Black History Month, we’re pleased to host this special speaker event to honor Dr. Charles R. Drew, who founded the Red Cross blood program in 1940. It’s also an opportunity to share the importance of diversifying our blood supply to help meet the needs of those with sickle cell disease, the most common inherited blood disorder in the U.S.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 1 in 13 Black or African American babies in the U.S. is born with sickle cell trait; blood transfusions, while not a cure, are one of the few treatments available to people living with sickle cell disease. To help ensure patients have the blood products they need, the Red Cross is working with our community to grow the number of blood donors who are Black through the Sickle Cell Initiative. Join the conversation to learn how you can help improve and extend the lives of those affected by sickle cell disease.
Regional Chief Executive Officer
American Red Cross
Northern California Coastal Region
Regional Donor Services Executive
American Red Cross
Northern California Coastal Region
Product Development and Implementation Director
Diverse Donors Red Blood Cells
American Red Cross Biomedical Services
Bay Area Chapter Board Member
American Red Cross
Northern California Coastal Region
Nari’k Page is 22 years old and lives with sickle cell disease. Once every three months he is hospitalized for a sickle cell pain crisis and receives blood transfusions. It’s important that he receive blood from the same race of similar ethnicity to help prevent complications from frequent transfusion therapies. The Red Cross asks members of the Black community and all other communities to join with us to help address this health disparity and meet the needs of patients, like Nari’k, with sickle cell disease.
Email Pooja Klebig by clicking HERE
About the Speaker Series: The American Red Cross Northern California Coastal Region (NCCR) has carefully curated virtual quarterly Speaker Series sessions to update and inspire you through conversations about relevant topics with respected industry leads and Red Cross volunteers. These series are open to all and participants are encouraged to submit their questions and comments during registration for speakers to consider as part of the conversation.