Story by: Cheary Shelim, Red Cross Voluteer

Ray Taylor is a Biomedical Account Manager with the American Red Cross of South Carolina. Ray has been donating blood for years, but recently, during a blood donation appointment, he found out that he is a CEK negative donor.

“That actually came out on my app, after I made the appointment. I was definitely excited about it,” Ray said. “Just hearing more of the stories of folks that it does help and can help and realizing that I can be one of those sickle cell fighters. It made me realize that I need to do it more frequently, and I will make that a priority.”

CEK negative donors are valuable, especially for sickle cell patients who need multiple blood transfusions over time. Multiple transfusions can cause patients to develop antibodies that trigger immune reactions. The blood of CEK negative donors does not have antibodies to C, E, and K antigens, providing a safety net for patients in need of compatible blood.

For Ray, it means a lot that he can help others with the blood that he donates. “The 30 minutes to an hour that I can help potentially save up to three lives with whole blood, and up to six with the Power Red, it makes my heart feel good. You, too, can have the same feeling,” said Ray.

A Power Red donation uses a special machine that separates your red blood cells from your plasma and platelets. It allows you to donate two units of red blood cells at a time, while returning your plasma and platelets. There are certain eligibility requirements, such as the blood type, weight, height, and certain thresholds that vary by gender. By giving nearly double the amount of red blood cells, you can potentially make twice the impact than a regular whole blood donation. 

As a Biomedical Account Manager, Ray sets up blood drives to help others facilitate ways to give back to the community. He wants to spread the word of how important it is to give. “Blood cannot be manufactured; it needs to be given,” he emphasizes. “And the need never goes away. It is always a needed gift,” said Ray.

Ray has partnered with his local church, Highland Park United Methodist in Florence, SC, to set up blood drives. “It’s a frequent deal and Michael, who’s a colleague, does a great job of facilitating it,” he shares. “It’s growing and we intend for it to continue to grow.”

What would he say to someone who is on the fence of donating?

“It’s not as bad as you think,” he said with a laugh. “Just do it, try it once. If you don’t like it, you don’t ever have to do it again. But I promise you, it’s not as bad as you think,” said Ray. “Most people have their aversion to, or they say they have an aversion to needles. If you do, just look away. It’s just a pinch. It’s over in a couple seconds and you feel great afterwards.”

Your blood can save lives. Schedule a blood donation appointment by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, using the Blood Donor App or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.