By Scott Marder, Red Cross Communications Manager

Anthony Braxton Jr. has dedicated his life to helping others. As a community health worker and patient navigator with the Maryland Sickle Cell Disease Association, he provides support for families in need, helps organize transportation assistance, and connects individuals with vital resources. His commitment to service is deeply personal- as a sickle cell warrior, he understands firsthand how critical access to medical care can be.

On Wednesday, Feb. 26, Anthony was at the University of Maryland, speaking with blood donors at an American Red Cross blood drive hosted in partnership with the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC). The event, part of Black Excellence Week, emphasized the need for more blood donors, particularly within the Black community.

Anthony receives exchange transfusions every month, a process that requires up to 10 units of blood at a time. Without these transfusions, his health would be at risk. “Who's to say? I might not even be here talking to you today if it wasn’t for blood donations,” he said. That reality is one of the reasons he works so hard to educate others about the importance of giving blood.

Sickle cell disease disproportionately affects people of African descent, and for patients who require regular transfusions, closely matched blood from Black donors is essential. The Red Cross and the NPHC—often called the “Divine Nine”—are working together to expand the donor base and raise awareness. At the blood drive, leaders from Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and other NPHC organizations rolled up their sleeves to donate.

While Anthony is passionate about advocacy, his career path hasn’t always been in health care. Before joining the Maryland Sickle Cell Disease Association, he worked as a mechanical electrical technician for food manufacturers in Maryland. Now, his focus is on helping others navigate their own health journeys and ensuring that those in need receive the support they deserve.

His message to potential donors is simple: “If you can donate, do it. One donation can give someone else a second chance at life.”

To make an appointment to give blood, visit RedCrossBlood.org.