By: Tia Norrington
Stir courage, resilience, and optimism in a pot. Add a strong family support system, generous blood donors, and a great medical staff. Top it off with a big smile and you get 21-year-old Keyera Jennings, a sickle cell warrior from LaGrange, Georgia.
“By looking at me, you can’t tell that I’m sick or have any pain at all,” she told participants at the Central Midwest Red Cross 2022 Sickle Cell Virtual Forum on February 7, 2022. Keyera was vulnerable with the audience and shared her story of resilience in battling sickle cell disease. “I want to speak up for those that are not here,” she said, passionately, with tears in her eyes, as she talked about her cousin who also battled the disease and passed away last year at age 20. “I promised my cousin that I would do all I can to encourage more people to donate blood to help those of us with sickle cell,” she said.
Diagnosed with the disease at age five, Keyera has endured multiple medical complications and a double hip replacement at age 18. Now with the help of regular red blood cells exchange transfusions and the support of her family and friends, she’s able to push forward and do what she loves – painting and practicing yoga. She also serves as an ambassador for others with sickle cell and is working toward her goal of becoming a phlebotomist.
“I want to inspire others that they can do anything they want to do,” she said. “You can’t stay down. Eventually, you have to get back up and start fighting again.”
Sickle cell disease affects the diverse community and is the most common inherited blood disorder in the country. About 10,300 people in Georgia have the disease, nearly 10% of patients nationwide. It 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. Regular 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.
The American Red Cross launched a Sickle Cell Initiative last fall to encourage more diverse donors to give blood to help sickle cell patients. The most compatible blood match for sickle cell patients receiving blood transfusions often comes from donors of the same race or similar ethnicity. The more frequently someone receives blood transfusions, the more important a close blood type match becomes. A patient’s immune system may form antibodies against donated blood that does not closely match their own blood type.
“It’s really important for more people of color to donate blood,” said a grateful Keyera. “During scary times [like the COVID pandemic], it really is important to still donate blood, because it is truly life-changing.”
To make your blood donation appointment, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-REDCROSS – or download the Red Cross Blood Donor App. Find the next open appointment near you: rcblood.org/3FOqdJY
“A hero is any person really intent on making this a better place for all people.”
Maya Angelou