Contact:

Kelly Isenor | 781-223-2589 

Jeff Hall | 617-999-3319

BOSTON, Mass (June 14) — The American Red Cross is looking to raise awareness and increase much-needed blood donations from diverse blood donors through a series of blood drives connected with the Juneteenth federal holiday.

An estimated 100,000 Americans, primarily of African descent, live with sickle cell disease in the United States and the disease affects 1 out of every 365 Black births. Although there is no cure, regular blood transfusions can help patients manage the intense pain and organ damage associated with the sickling of blood.

The Red Cross of Massachusetts and its partners within the Black community will shine a light on sickle cell disease at a series of blood drives in Dorchester, Brockton and at the Boston Public Library June 17-20. Although donors of all races are encouraged to donate blood, many patients have rare blood types unique to certain races and ethnicities. Patients with rare blood types may depend on donors of the same race or similar ethnicity for the most compatible blood.

“When I’m in the hospital and I don’t have blood because my blood is sickling, I just feel miserable,” said Nari’k Page, a sickle cell patient who is frequently hospitalized in need of blood transfusions. “It feels like something is broken inside my body and the only thing that can fix it is blood.” You can view Nari’k’s story here: https://youtu.be/gOAkMAvifto

Partnerships within the Black community are critical to building trust, sharing information and working together to engage new donors and help save lives. The Red Cross is grateful for the support of the NAACP, the YMCA of Greater Boston, the Boston Public Health Commission, the Waymark Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Dorchester and other community partners who have helped share this important message.

Juneteenth weekend sickle cell awareness blood drives:

June 17 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Shaw’s Center, 1 Feinburg Way, Brockton
June 17 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Boston Public Library main branch, Copley Square
June 19 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Waymark SDA Church, 1048 Dorchester Ave. Dorchester

**members of the media are invited to send crews to the June 20 drive between 10 and 11 a.m. for interviews with blood donors, Red Cross staff and representatives from partner community organizations

How to donate blood

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters;supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides internationalhumanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-forprofitorganization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public toperform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/MA or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.