By Jay Lawrence

“Big Nick” Harden is a big guy with a big smile – to go along with a big heart.

But the smile went missing last summer when he found himself in the ICU and on oxygen in a Valdosta hospital, fighting for his life with Covid-19.  After a man in the next room about his age died, he was afraid he was next. “I was praying, Lord, don’t let it be me.  It was scary,” he said.

Now he and his smile are back and he’s doing what he loves, cooking barbecue and soul food and wings and running his popular restaurant “Big Nick’s.”

He’s also working hard for the American Red Cross and the community.  He’s playing a big part in spreading the word about a Red Cross blood drive aimed especially at the African American community during Black History Month.

Big Nick has friends and family members who suffer from sickle cell disease, which affects diverse community members and is the most common inherited blood disorder in the country, affecting 10,300 patients across the state of Georgia. That is close to 10% of the disease in the country.

Sickle cell disease causes red blood cells to be crescent-shaped instead of soft and round. This makes it difficult for blood to flow smoothly and carry oxygen to the rest of the body. Blood transfusion helps sickle cell disease patients by increasing the number of normal red blood cells in the body, helping to deliver oxygen, and unblock blood vessels. Regular blood transfusions are often a critical treatment for sickle cell patients.

“Whatever we can do to help, we have to step up,” he said.  “It’s really important for us to give blood.”

Big Nick has already paved the way by donating platelets. And the Valdosta State University alum is organizing black sororities and fraternities and other local business owners to drum up support for the Red Cross blood drive on Feb. 26 at the Mildred Hunter Community Center, at 509 S. Fry St. in Valdosta, from 1-6 p.m.

Statewide effort in honor of Black History Month, with Covid survivors, especially needed

It’s part of a Georgia-wide effort by the Red Cross in honor of Black History Month to encourage not just diverse donors but others to give blood.  Latinos also suffer from Sickle Cell Disease, and the need is great for blood donations in general.

Big Nick’s blood is special for another reason.  COVID 19 survivors are especially needed to address a convalescent plasma shortage. They may have antibodies in their plasma that could help patients currently battling the virus.

Harden is not only a long-time restaurateur, but he’s a radio personality.  He was a South Central Georgia Red Cross board member for years and still a volunteer.

When South Central Georgia Red Cross Executive Director Terri Jenkins heard his story on the radio, she was in tears.   

“He almost died,” she said.  And his wife Ingrid caught Covid too – though it was a milder case – along with other family members and several employees. The restaurant closed for seven weeks.

Jenkins knew that Big Nick would be willing to roll up his sleeves and help – in more ways than one.  “He’s so community-minded, and kind and giving. I’m so grateful to Nick for everything he’s done.” For him, it was an ideal fit. 

“The Red Cross is a very, very important part of the community,” he said.  “I want people to know that – and to get out here to help us.”

To make your blood donation appointment, in Valdosta or anywhere, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800 REDCROSS – or download the Red Cross Blood Donor App. As a thank-you for helping ensure a stable blood supply, those who come to give this February will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email, courtesy of Amazon. (Restrictions apply. Additional information and details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Together.)