Media contact: Keith Paul
Regional Communications Director
keith.paul@redcross.org | 702-400-7680

SALT LAKE CITY (April 15, 2023) — April is National Minority Health Month, and the American Red Cross of Utah is joining with state Rep. Sandra Hollins to encourage minority blood donation and sickle cell trait screening.

“I am pleased to work with the Red Cross to not only encourage blood donation from the Black community, but also to encourage donors to be tested for the sickle cell trait, arming them with more information about their health,” said Rep. Sandra Hollins, whose bill to help improve care for Utah residents with sickle cell disease was signed into law last month.

“Despite the discovery of this disease more than a century ago, people with sickle cell have less access to health resources and experience worse health outcomes compared to other similar diseases.” Rep. Hollins said. “Sickle cell is an enduring health disparity in the U.S."

The Red Cross conducts a sickle cell trait screening on all donations from self-identified Black donors. “This additional screening helps the Red Cross identify compatible blood types quickly to help sickle cell patients,” said Michael Smauldon, Executive Director of the American Red Cross Northern Utah & Southwest Wyoming Chapter. “Our screening provides Black blood donors with valuable personal health insight.”

The most common inherited blood disorder in the U.S., sickle cell disease most commonly affects patients of African descent, and treatment can require frequent blood transfusions. “The disease distorts soft, round blood cells, turning them hard and crescent shaped. This can cause them to get caught in blood vessels and trigger severe pain, potentially leading to stroke and organ failure,” said Dr. Walter Kelley, Divisional Chief Medical Officer for the Pacific, Rocky Mountain, and Southwest Divisions of the American Red Cross. “Transfusions provide healthy blood cells, unblocking blood vessels, delivering oxygen, and minimizing the crises sickle cell patients may face.”

In addition, blood from donors that is not entirely compatible can cause patients to develop an immune response, making a closely matched blood product critical, said Dr. Kelley. “Many individuals of African descent have distinct markers/structures on their red blood cells that make their donations the most compatible and valuable to sickle cell patients,” he said.

The Red Cross is committed to addressing the health disparities that affect minority communities. “National Minority Health Month brings focus to our continuing efforts to combat sickle cell disease through blood donations and awareness campaigns,” Smauldon said. “With support from leaders such as Rep. Hollins, we can make a difference in the lives of those affected by this debilitating condition and help ensure more people have access to lifesaving treatments and resources."

Support those with sickle cell disease
Schedule a blood donation appointment by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Learn more about testing for sickle cell trait from self-identified Black blood donors and how the American Red Cross has been fighting the disease at redcrossblood.org/sicklecell.

National Minority Health Month goals
Recognized every April, its goal is to build awareness about the disproportionate burden of premature death and illness in racial and ethnic minority populations, encouraging action through health education, early detection, and control of disease complications. Started in 2002, the awareness month received support from the U.S. Congress with the passage of a resolution.

About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports 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.