“That day when I was going to class, I wasn’t aware that the blood drive was going on. There was a nice lady in the hallway who approached me, and she asked me to donate blood,” said Alix Jean Charles, a Clemson University student. “I was reluctant to do it because I know I have the sickle cell trait, which had prevented me from giving blood in the past when I thought I couldn’t donate.” 

Alix thought having the sickle cell trait could potentially harm anyone who may receive his blood. Sickle cell trait is inherited, and many individuals are not aware that they carry this trait. Sickle cell trait is not sickle cell disease, and it can never become sickle cell disease. However, health experts recommend that individuals learn their sickle cell trait status and consult their medical provider on what it means for them.  

“I also have tattoos, and she told me that those two reasons cannot prevent me from giving blood if I wanted to. I was happy to hear that because in 2015, I had donated blood with the U.S. Army,” Alix described his first experience giving blood during his five years of service with the military. “That’s when a doctor told me I have the trait, but he didn’t tell me if I could continue donating blood or not. I took the news as a bad thing.” 

It is estimated that about 1 in 13 Black or African American babies in the U.S. is born with sickle cell trait, which means they have inherited the sickle cell gene from one of their parents. Individuals with sickle cell trait are eligible to donate blood. Donations from individuals without the trait may be able to help a patient facing a sickle cell crisis.  

“Hopefully, there’s nobody who feels the way I felt, thinking that having the sickle cell trait is a bad thing. If they are, I hope they find out that they are special and have the unique ability to help people who need their blood match,” said Alix of the impact he’s glad to make now that he knows he can donate blood. “I would encourage them to give blood because that day when I gave, I felt that I was making a big difference.” 

There is no widely used cure for sickle cell disease. However, the Red Cross supports one of the most critical sickle cell treatments of all – blood transfusions. A close blood type match is essential for many patients and is found in donors of the same race or similar ethnicity.  

“Now that I know I can donate blood and people can benefit from my blood, I will keep donating to help those people,” said Alix of his commitment to donate more in the future.  

Alix gave a Power Red donation for the first time at the Red Cross blood drive on Clemson’s campus. Power Red is similar to a whole blood donation, except a special machine allows donors to safely donate two units of red blood cells during one donation while returning their plasma and platelets. 

“When I came home from giving blood, I shared the story with my fiancé, and she was happy to know that I no longer need to avoid giving blood. I’m happy she approached me in the hallway; she changed my whole perspective and how I saw myself,” said Alix, no longer burdened by his trait status. “I really like to help people, and I always wanted to give blood but didn’t know that I could. That day was one of the best days of my life.” 

The Red Cross is screening donations from self-identified African American blood donors for Hemoglobin S, a key indicator of sickle cell trait. This screening, which may provide our donors with valuable health insights, will be part of the blood donation testing process and free of charge to donors. Learn more about sickle cell disease and blood donations here.  

Join Alix in helping to save lives. Find a blood drive near you.