The American Red Cross teamed up with longtime partner Suburban Propane and athlete-activist-entrepreneur Eric LeGrand to raise awareness about sickle cell disease. An event was held in the blood donor center at the American Red Cross of Northern New Jersey in Fairfield. It included brief remarks from Eric LeGrand with a call-to-action regarding the need for blood donations to help fight sickle cell disease. Fairfield Mayor William Galese, Suburban Propane Spokesperson Nandini Sankara, and Red Cross New Jersey Regional CEO Rosie Taravella were also at the event.

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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.

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.

“Blood transfusion is an essential treatment for sickle cell disease—the most common genetic blood disease in the U.S. and primarily affecting Black and African American individuals,” said Rosie Taravella, CEO, American Red Cross New Jersey Region. “We appreciate Suburban Propane and Eric LeGrand helping bring awareness to the need for blood donation to help Sickle Cell patients with their treatment.”

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 RedCrossBlood.org, downloading the Blood Donor App or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

Following are a few upcoming Sickle Cell blood drives in New Jersey. Visit redcrossblood.org for additional blood drives.

Friday, June 30

OMEGA by the Sea Foundation

All Wars Memorial, 1510 Adriatic Avenue

Atlantic City, NJ 08401

10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Saturday, July 1

Second Baptist Church of Mount Holly

306 Washington Street

Mount Holly, NJ 08060

9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Monday, August 14

Tabernacle Baptist Church

150 East Second Street

Burlington, NJ 08016

9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.