By: Mira Mahishi
Imagine waking up in unbearable pain, feeling like your bones are being crushed. That’s what more than 100,000 people living with sickle cell disease in the United States, most of whom are of African descent, experience when they suffer a sickle cell crisis.
On August 1, the American Red Cross North Texas Youth Leadership Philanthropy Committee organized a Stand for Sickle Cell Fundraiser to help those with sickle cell disease. The fundraiser raised awareness and promoted blood donation.
“There's also no cure, so that just makes it even harder for [sickle cell patients],” Youth Services Executive Board Philanthropy Officer Ishani Gandi said. “We wanted to create this fundraiser as a way to help. This money is going to the American Red Cross, which helps to support sickle cell patients.”
Gandi also mentioned how she was very grateful for the philanthropy committee, as they have been very helpful throughout the fundraiser. One hundred thirty-five members have committed to this cause, and 30 Red Cross clubs in North Texas are raising money through events like car washes and bake sales.
The committee raised $13,012 and is working on securing additional partnerships to increase awareness of sickle cell disease.
“I served as the Philanthropy Officer before Ishani's term, and my suspicions that she would be a perfect fit for the role came true when I saw what she did with the Stand for Sickle Cell initiative!” Vice Chair of the National Youth Council Harsh Singh.
“Ishani’s enthusiasm in motivating volunteers to conduct outreach and promote the fundraiser enabled her to exceed any of our previous campaign milestones by over $3,000.”
Sickle cells are shaped like a crescent or a sickle, which is the shape from which the disease gets its name. The normal shape of a human red blood cell allows it to squeeze through our body to deliver oxygen to our tissues. However, since people with sickle cell disease have sickle-shaped red blood cells, the cells can no longer travel through the body easily.
This disturbance blocks blood flow and causes extreme pain and anemia. Sickle cell disease is hereditary, and people can only get it by inheriting a sickle cell gene from both parents.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for sickle cell disease. However, blood transfusions can significantly help treat and prevent complications while improving oxygen delivery.
While many Red Cross Youth Club members contribute to this cause, the philanthropy committee calls on everyone to support the Strive for Sickle Cell fundraiser by visiting the group’s GoFundMe page. No matter the amount, every donation helps support the American Red Cross.
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