DALLAS/FORT WORTH, TX – June 19^th commemorates both Juneteenth and World Sickle Cell Awareness Day. American Red Cross has partnered with two foundations: Butterflies Second Chances, and Carol’s Promise in an effort to increase awareness about the importance of having a diverse blood supply to assist patients with sickle cell disease.

Sickle cell disease distorts soft and round blood cells and turns them hard and crescent shaped, which can cause individuals to experience extreme pain. In the U.S., it is estimated that over 100,000 people have sickle cell disease – most who are of African descent and will require regular blood transfusions to help manage their disease. Blood donations from individuals of the same ethnicity and blood type have a unique ability to help patients fighting sickle cell disease.

Kenya Buckley, founder of Carol’s Promise shares the impact of blood donations, “their donation saves lives. I have friends and family with sickle cell and it might sound cliché but it’s the truth that the donation of blood is lifesaving.”

Join the Red Cross for an opportunity to give back to the community and help provide lifesaving blood. Those who donate at one of the three locations below on Saturday, June 9, will receive a $10 Amazon Gift Card by email.

American Red Cross World Sickle Cell Awareness Day Blood Drives

Saturday, June 19, 2021 from 10 A.M. – 4 P.M.

• Arlington in partnership with Carol’s Promise Sickle Cell Foundation
  711 Highlander Boulevard, Arlington, TX 76015
  Use sponsor code: ‘CarolsPromise’
   

• Denton in partnership with Butterflies Second Chances Foundation
  MLK Recreation Center – 1200 Wilson Street, Denton, TX 76205
  Use sponsor code: ‘ButterfliesSecondChance’
   

• Fort Worth
  Northpark YMCA - 9100 North Beach Street, Keller, TX 76244
  Use sponsor code: ‘NorthParkYMCASickleCell’

Healthy individuals are encouraged to schedule a blood donation appointment today by visiting redcrossblood.org, downloading the Blood Donor App or calling 1-800-RED CROSS. You can make a difference in the life of a sickle cell patient, individuals who experience complicated childbirths, people fighting cancer, accident victims being raced to emergency rooms, and many more.

Blood Drive Safety

Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including temperature checks, social distancing and face masks for donors and staff – have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance.