Story told by: Nick Gibson 

In 2020, Corey Mitchell was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis which now causes him to use a wheelchair daily. 

Corey says when he was first diagnosed, he didn’t know what to think but was determined to help others in need.  

“It took me off my feet, I couldn’t do anything for myself,” said Corey. “Through rehab, I’m in a wheelchair still, I can walk on leg braces, but I can’t drive and get myself around.” 

A proud and active member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Corey says his chapter hosts blood drives every year to help those in need. Corey spoke with his doctor and representatives with the American Red Cross of South Carolina and learned that he was still eligible to donate blood despite his condition. 

After donating blood for the first time after his diagnosis, Corey says Vesha Jamison, who is a Sickle Cell Account Manager with the Red Cross, reached out to him about what she discovered. 

“I was having a bad day, and she reached out excited,” said Corey. “She told me that my blood can help sickle cell patients.”  

Corey is a CEK negative donor and tries his best to donate as much as possible. When patients with sickle cell disease develop antibodies from receiving multiple blood transfusions over time, they are most likely to develop antibodies from the C, E, and K antigens on their red blood cells.  

CEK negative donors are valuable because their blood doesn't have the three proteins that trigger immune reactions in sickle cell patients. These donors provide a safety net for patients who need a close, compatible blood match. 

“It’s awesome to be able to help,” said Corey. “To be able to go through the situation that I’m going through and still be able to affect someone with sickle cell, it’s an honor.” 

Whole blood donors can donate up to 6 times a year or every 56 days. Corey says that his mission to help others is personal after losing someone close to him from sickle cell. 

“I lost a good friend to sickle cell, he was 35,” said Corey. “I seen first-hand what sickle cell can do to someone.” 

Corey started his own organization, The Corey Mitchell Multiple Sclerosis Foundation. This organization is dedicated to raising awareness about multiple sclerosis through uplifting, motivating, and teaching about this disease.  

In July, Corey hosted his very own blood drive at his annual back-to-school event that his organization puts together.  

“This year at our back-to-school event our goal was to give away 1,000 backpacks, so you can only imagine how many people were in the building,” said Corey. “We ended up doing 33 units, that was just our way of connecting with the community and giving back and letting other people know what the Red Cross does.” 

Corey says he is thankful for the partnership with the Red Cross. 

“It’s a new partnership and it’s a continued partnership, I appreciate the Red Cross,” said Corey. 

Blood and platelet donations are vital in supporting patients with sickle cell disease undergoing gene therapies, stem cell transplants, as well as those in need of regular blood transfusions to alleviate pain and help manage their disease. 

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