Yvonne decided she would become a blood donor after hearing a moving story about a young boy in her church group who was diagnosed with sickle cell disease and was in desperate need of blood transfusions as part of his treatment. This happened 20 years ago and Yvonne continues to donate blood today.
Sickle cell disease causes red blood cells to harden and form a C-shape (like a sickle). When hardened, the cells can get caught in blood vessels and cause serious complications for patients, which can include severe pain, respiratory conditions, organ failure, and even stroke. About 100,000 people in the United States have sickle cell disease and most are of African descent.
“I started donating blood when I learned of the little boy in my church, and I have donated blood ever since. It’s really important and I wish more people from my community would become blood donors,” said Yvonne.
Yvonne’s latest blood donation was over the winter at a Blue Tag Sickle Cell Awareness Blood Drive hosted by University Hospital in Newark, where 51 units of lifesaving blood were collected.
“We’re located in an urban area, which is primarily African American,” said Brooke Tippens, director of Community Affairs for University Hospital. “Through blood drives, we are encouraging our African American community and our employees to donate blood.”
University hospital is hosting a second Sickle Cell Awareness Blood Drive in June.
Last year, the Red Cross launched a new national initiative to expand blood donation opportunities in Black communities and to grow the number of blood donors who are Black to help patients in need, especially those batting sickle cell disease.
Individuals with sickle cell disease can require frequent blood transfusions throughout their lifetime – needing as many as 100 units of blood each year – to treat complications of the disease. Blood transfusions are essential in managing the very real pain and long-term health of those with sickle cell disease, and blood donations from individuals of the same race or similar ethnicity and blood type are the most effective way to help patients experiencing a sickle cell crisis. Since the majority of people with sickle cell are of African descent, blood donations from Black individuals are critical in helping those suffering from this disease.
The Red Cross asks members of the Black community to join with us and our partners to help meet the needs of patients with sickle cell disease and other medical conditions to improve health outcomes. Please take action today and schedule a blood donation appointment by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, downloading the Blood Donor App or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.
Additionally, no single organization can meet the needs of the community alone. You can learn about hosting a blood drive here.
