Drive to take place March 16 in Franklin

By Allie Harrison, American Red Cross Volunteer

FRANKLIN, Tenn., March 3, 2023 – When a patient has sickle cell disease, they suffer from an inherited disorder that affects millions of people around the world. Patients with sickle cell experience anemia, organ damage and painful Vaso-occlusive crises.

Those with sickle cell disease have red blood cells that contain mostly hemoglobin S, an abnormal hemoglobin type. These red blood cells are stiff, distorted in shape (like a sickle) and sometimes block small blood vessels. This is what causes the complications of sickle cell disease and while there is no cure for the disease, patients can be treated with blood transfusions from donors that carry the sickle cell trait to alleviate and reverse their symptoms.

A professional nursing organization, Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Incorporated, is partnering with The American Red Cross to host a blood drive in honor of Capri Reece, a member of the organization and a sickle cell warrior herself. Drive organizers hope to engage others in the African American community to donate. The drive will be held at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs, 700 Cool Springs Blvd., in Franklin from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 16.

Blood donations from the African American community are crucial to those with the disease. In the United States, an estimated 100,000 people of various racial and ethnic backgrounds have sickle cell disease, with the majority being of African descent. Blood from people of the same race or similar ethnicity is important in ensuring the best transfusion results, with the least potential reaction. Chi Eta Phi’s southeast regional director, Juanita Gibbons-Delaney, states, “Per the National Library of Medicine, African Americans account for 86 percent of those diagnosed with sickle cell anemia.”

Capri Reece, a member of Chi Eta Phi, knows firsthand the effects of sickle cell and the need for comparable donors. “I was diagnosed with sickle cell disease when I was 13 days old,” Reece explains. “I have battled sickle cell crisis for most of my life. My diagnosis motivates me to advocate for blood donation and sickle cell research.” Reece works as a Pediatric Nurse at Levine Children’s Hospital. It is the same hospital that helped her when she was a youth coping with the disease.

According to the organization’s national president, Dr. Sarah M. Killian, “This event is one of many led by local chapters to meet the need of blood donations in the African American community and those with sickle cell disease. Our organization supports multiple programs focusing on health promotion, disease prevention, leadership development, mentoring, nursing recruitment, nursing retention and scholarship for nursing students.”

Chi Eta Phi has partnered with the American Red Cross for two years through these blood drives, and it is because of these types of partnerships, people like Capri Reece can live with sickle cell and help others.

To sign up to donate at the Chi Eta Phi Blood Drive, go to RedCrossBlood.org and type in the promo code “aphachi” for more information. To find out more about sickle cell disease and ways you can help in your community go to Red Cross Blood - Sickle Cell Information.

How to donate blood

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also must meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

Amplify your impact − volunteer!

Another way to support the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross is to become a volunteer blood donor ambassador at Red Cross blood drives. Blood donor ambassadors help greet, check-in and thank blood donors to ensure they have a positive donation experience.

Volunteers can also serve as transportation specialists, playing a vital role in ensuring lifesaving blood products are delivered to nearby hospitals. For more information and to apply for either position, visit redcross.org/volunteertoday.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feed and provide comfort to victims of disasters; supply about 40% of the nation's blood; teach skills that save lives; distribute international humanitarian aid; and support veterans, military members, and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.