By Kayli Perry, American Red Cross volunteer

The American Red Cross of Orange County recently partnered with the Orange County Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. to host a sickle cell blood drive at the Red Cross of Orange County office to bring awareness to sickle cell disease.

Sickle cell disease is a common, inherited red blood disorder. Throughout their lives, individuals with sickle cell disease can suffer a range of conditions, including acute anemia, tissue and organ damage, terrible pain and even strokes. More than 100,000 people in the United States have sickle cell disease. It is the most common genetic blood disease in the U.S., most commonly affecting individuals of African descent. One in 3 African American blood donors is a match for people with sickle cell disease.

With no official cure, people with sickle cell disease rely on blood transfusions throughout their lives as a treatment. The Red Cross launched its national Sickle Cell Initiative in 2021 to grow the number of blood donors who are Black to help patients with sickle cell disease and improve health outcomes. For patients with sickle cell disease, finding blood donors that are compatible with them can be difficult.  Unfortunately, frequent transfusions can make finding compatible blood types more difficult when patients develop an immune response against blood from donors that is not closely matched to the recipient. Blood from people of the same race or similar ethnicity is important in ensuring the best transfusion results, with the least potential reaction.

JACK AND JILL OF AMERICA AND RED CROSS PARTNERSHIP

As part of their own initiative to combat sickle cell anemia, the OC Chapter of Jack and Jill of America partnered with the Red Cross to bring awareness and increase blood donations. Founded in 1938, Jack and Jill of America provides a community for African American mothers and children ages 2-19. They have a mission to create a nurturing environment for children to develop into leaders through volunteer service, philanthropic giving and civic duty.

When asked why she chose to be a part of the Orange County chapter, Jack and Jill of America member Charell mentioned that she wants her daughter to understand the importance of volunteering for good causes, and ensure her daughter had a community to connect with. When fellow Jack and Jill chapter member Nicole was asked why she chose this event to volunteer, she explained that her mother was a nurse, and through her, she realized the importance of donating blood regularly.

During the blood drive, with the support of their moms, the children checked in donors and provided them water, juice and snacks after their blood donations. Before they left, donors were thanked with special t-shirts and socks for generously giving blood.

WHY DONATE?

Perhaps the greatest benefit  is knowing that your blood donation can save more than one life and that a few minutes of your time can change someone’s life forever.

The process to donate blood is simple and easy. Donors check in, and from there go to a private screening area to ensure their hemoglobin, pulse, blood pressure and temperature are in range. Once cleared, donors are taken to a bed to complete their blood draw, then are given snacks, water and juices, to refuel until they are ready to leave. Many of the donors at the Jack and Jill sickle cell blood drive were consistent donors, including Jonathan and Ruth. Ruth recalled how everyone was very friendly and knowledgeable about the blood drawing process the first time she came in. She was impressed at how everyone worked as a team to ensure she was comfortable the entire time. Jonathan agreed, mentioning how he was encouraged by Ruth to start donating and how on his first donation he had a short wait from checking in to getting his blood drawn. When asked if they would encourage others to donate, they both said yes, and encouraged others to remember that it is “a few moments to save a life.”

HOW TO HELP

You can donate blood by scheduling an appointment today at RedCrossBlood.org. You can also schedule an appointment using the Red Cross Blood Donor App or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).